Short-term inflation surges to 11.38pc due to costly food

Dawn reported that short-term inflation climbed to 11.38 per cent on a yearly basis for the week up to October 15, with dearer food the main factor. The figures came from official data that the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics published on Friday.

Of the 51 essential items tracked, 23 items (45.10pc) became dearer week-on-week, seven (13.72pc) turned cheaper and 21 (41.18pc) held steady. Pulse gram led the weekly gains at 4.97pc, followed by wheat flour at 3.36pc and chicken at 3.31pc, while tomatoes dropped 23.05pc. The Sensitive Price Index eased slightly, down 0.04pc week-on-week, as food and non-food prices moved in different directions.

Dawn also linked the trend to petroleum, noting that the government keeps raising petrol and diesel prices daily without easing the levy. That energy cost rise is feeding into food prices in what the report calls cost-push inflation, and higher prices also lift sales tax collections while households face more pressure.