Government Claims of Inflation Decline Contradicted by Recent Price Hikes in Essential Commodities

Despite the government’s repeated claims of decreasing inflation rates and falling food prices, recent trends show an increase in the prices of fruits, meat, sugar, and pulses, while some vegetables and eggs have seen a price drop. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the annual urban inflation rate for February has fallen to 2.7%, a decrease from 4.4% in December 2024 and 30.2% in January 2024. However, the monthly inflation rate for urban areas has increased by 0.2%, compared to a decline of 0.1% in December 2024.

A comparison of food prices by **V News** for the current month and the previous one reveals a rise in the cost of essential items, contrary to government claims. The price of sugar has increased by Rs 30 per kilogram, cooking oil and ghee by Rs 60 per kilogram, and various fruits have also seen price hikes. On the other hand, eggs have become cheaper by Rs 80 per dozen, and vegetable prices have significantly decreased, with tomatoes being Rs 120 per kilogram cheaper.

**Cooking Oil, Ghee, and Pulses Prices Surge**

In January, the price of cooking oil and ghee was around Rs 550 per kilogram, but it has now risen to Rs 600. The price of Dalda ghee has also increased by Rs 60 per kilogram. Although the prices of various pulses had risen by Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kilogram in December, there has been a slight reduction in the price by Rs 20 per kilogram in the past month. Rice prices have soared, with the cost of one kilogram rising from Rs 280 to Rs 370, marking an increase of Rs 90 per kilogram in just one month.

**Sugar and Tea Prices**

Sugar prices have seen the highest increase in the past month, with a rise of Rs 30 per kilogram. It has jumped from Rs 130 per kilogram to Rs 160. Meanwhile, the price of tea remains stable, fluctuating between Rs 1300 to Rs 1600 per kilogram.

**Flour Prices Decrease**

The price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour was Rs 1750 in January, which has slightly decreased to Rs 1700.

**Vegetable Prices**

According to the daily price lists from the Islamabad Fruit and Vegetable Market, most items have become more expensive, with only a few items seeing price reductions. Potatoes have become cheaper from Rs 65 to Rs 55 per kilogram, onions have dropped from Rs 115 to Rs 85 per kilogram, and tomatoes have fallen from Rs 200 to Rs 80 per kilogram. Garlic has increased from Rs 580 to Rs 600 per kilogram, while green chilies have decreased from Rs 100 to Rs 90 per kilogram. The price of tinda (a type of squash) has decreased from Rs 60 to Rs 44 per kilogram, cauliflower from Rs 70 to Rs 30 per kilogram, and radishes from Rs 40 to Rs 20 per kilogram.

**Fruit Prices**

Fruit prices have risen significantly. Bananas, which were priced at Rs 140 per dozen last month, are now Rs 170 per dozen. Apples have become more expensive, going from Rs 240 per kilogram to Rs 290. Pomegranate prices have increased from Rs 355 to Rs 385 per kilogram, and citrus fruits like oranges and kinnow have also seen an increase of Rs 80 per dozen.

**Poultry and Egg Prices**

Egg prices have dropped significantly, with the price of farm eggs falling by Rs 80 per dozen, going from Rs 310 to Rs 230. The price of live chicken, which was Rs 420 per kilogram last month, has remained relatively stable at Rs 415 per kilogram in recent days.

Despite the government’s assertions, the fluctuation in essential commodity prices continues to challenge claims of decreasing inflation, making it harder for many to cope with rising living costs.