Pakistan's short-term inflation climbs to 11.38% amid sharp food price rise

The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported that short-term inflation rose to 11.38% year-on-year in the week to Oct 15, with 23 of 51 monitored commodities seeing price hikes. Notable weekly gains were recorded for pulse gram (4.97%), wheat flour (3.36%) and chicken (3.31%). Seven items, including tomatoes and onions, posted declines, while the remaining items were unchanged.

Persistent rises in petroleum prices, driven by the government's decision not to lower the fuel levy, have kept inflation in double-digit territory for several weeks. This cost-push inflation is pressuring household budgets as higher energy costs translate into higher food prices and increased sales-tax collections. Prices are collected weekly from 50 markets across 17 Pakistani cities to compile the Sensitive Price Index.