Pakistan’s Weekly Inflation Up 0.29%, Annual Rate Hits 12.31%
Pakistan’s inflation rate experienced an uptick in the week ending November 5, 2026, with weekly inflation rising by 0.29% and the yearly inflation rate climbing to 12.31%, reaching the highest level recorded over the past ten weeks, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Key Drivers of Inflation Increase
The upward trend in inflation was predominantly driven by significant price jumps in essential items. Tomato prices surged sharply by 54.18%, reaching an average of Rs. 193.81 per kilogram. Additionally, prices for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders increased by 3.72%, pushing the average cost of an 11.67kg domestic LPG cylinder to Rs. 6,497.89. Other goods registering price hikes included potatoes, eggs, garlic, firewood, and dairy products such as fresh milk and curd.
Despite these increases, certain commodities saw price reductions during the week. Petrol and high-speed diesel prices fell by 4.20% and 2.97%, respectively, easing some of the inflationary pressures on consumers. Items like gram pulse, bananas, onions, powdered milk, chicken, sugar, and wheat flour also became more affordable compared to the previous week.
Impact Across Income Groups and Annual Inflation Details
Inflation’s impact was uneven across different income levels, with lower-income households facing greater strain. Households spending up to Rs. 17,732 monthly encountered a weekly inflation rise of 0.86%, more than eight times higher than the 0.10% increase faced by the highest expenditure group. On an annual basis, LPG prices skyrocketed by 114.88%, while tomato prices were up by 78.89%. Electricity tariffs for the lowest spending group saw a 52.38% increase, with diesel and petrol prices rising by 39.27% and 36.34%, respectively.
Other annual changes included a 33.95% jump in wheat flour prices and a 31.81% rise in chicken costs. Conversely, potatoes, eggs, and sugar became cheaper year-on-year, dropping by 37.24%, 27.59%, and 25.03%, respectively.
Why This Matters for Pakistan
The continued rise in inflation, particularly for staple food items and household energy costs, presents a significant challenge for Pakistani consumers, especially those in lower-income brackets who spend a higher share of their income on essentials. The increase in prices of key commodities like tomatoes and LPG markedly affects daily living expenses, reducing purchasing power and potentially increasing poverty levels.
Monitoring the Sensitive Price Indicator, which tracks price movements of 51 critical commodities in urban centers, helps policymakers and the public gauge inflation dynamics. The widening gap in inflation impact between income groups highlights the urgency for targeted economic measures to support vulnerable populations and stabilize essential goods markets.
Sabica Tahira, an experienced content writer, noted, “The inflation burden falling disproportionately on lower-income households underscores the need for inclusive economic policies.”
