SPI inflation sticky at 11.85% YoY

Pakistan’s Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) increased 0.65% in the week to October 22, taking annual inflation measured by the index to 11.85%, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data reported by The Express Tribune. The index reached 374.84, compared with 372.43 a week earlier and 335.14 a year ago. It tracks 51 essential goods across 50 markets in 17 cities.

LPG recorded the steepest weekly rise, at 22.44%, while tomatoes fell 21.99% and petrol declined 3.63%. Over the year, LPG prices rose 107%, and electricity charges for the first quarter increased 59%; the lowest-spending household group recorded 8.45% annual inflation, against 12.69% for the highest group. Optimus Research projected monthly headline inflation of 0.9%, with energy prices expected to contribute to increases in housing and transport costs. The figures show continuing price pressure despite some weekly declines.