Higher food prices push up Sensitive Price Index

Dawn reported that the Sensitive Price Index, a weekly measure of inflation, climbed 8.35 per cent year-on-year for the week ending Sept 3. Figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics also showed the index rising 0.65pc week-on-week.

Onions led the week-on-week gains with a 26.30pc jump, while tomatoes rose 2.55pc and petrol and diesel also became dearer. Year-on-year, onions were up 162.75pc and LPG climbed 53.61pc, with diesel and petrol rising 37.70pc and 31.01pc. Official figures put onions at Rs160-280 per kg, up from Rs110-250 a week earlier.

Tomato prices have eased from highs of up to Rs500 per kg paid in July, especially in Karachi, and the national average now stands at Rs120-280 per kg. A tomato grower said Iranian supplies had been slow, with local demand met by the Balochistan crop. Onion arrivals are also delayed by disturbances in Balochistan, and middlemen and retailers are adding to the demand-supply gap.