SPI-based inflation rises slightly

Sensitive Price Index based inflation rose 0.99 percent in the week ended September 24, Business Recorder reported, citing Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data released on Friday. The main driver was an increase of 18.76 percent in electricity prices for Q1, alongside higher prices for eggs at 2.02 percent and LPG at 1.55 percent.

Pulse masoor, chicken and washing soap were among the items that became dearer, rising 0.75, 0.72 and 0.59 percent respectively. On the downside, tomatoes fell 13.45 percent, potatoes 8.33 percent and diesel 1.57 percent. Of the 51 items in the basket, 20 rose, 10 declined and 21 remained stable, according to the PBS figures.

On a year-on-year basis, the index rose 11.92 percent, led by onions up 115.98 percent, LPG up 63.97 percent and electricity up 58.59 percent. Across income groups, the combined SPI moved from 366.05 to 369.69 points, a 0.99 percent overall increase, with the lowest bracket, households earning up to Rs17,732 a month, seeing a 0.85 percent rise.