Weekly Inflation Dips Slightly as Prices of 13 Essential Items Rise, 11 Fall

**Islamabad:** Pakistan recorded a marginal decline of 0.09 percent in weekly inflation, while the overall annual inflation rate eased to 2.83 percent, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

The report shows that during the past week, prices of 13 essential commodities increased, 11 items became cheaper, and prices of 27 items remained unchanged.

Among the items that saw price hikes, ground red chilies became costlier by 6.26 percent, chicken prices rose by 5.29 percent, and bananas increased by 2.46 percent. Prices of garlic, eggs, cooking oil (ghee), and mutton also registered an increase, with chicken and eggs witnessing particularly sharp rises.

On the other hand, notable declines were recorded in the prices of potatoes, which fell by 10.37 percent, tomatoes by 9.64 percent, sugar by 4.22 percent, gram lentils by 1.76 percent, and onions by up to 7.43 percent. Prices of LPG, masoor lentils, and jaggery also decreased during the week.

The Bureau of Statistics further reported a 1.67 percent increase in electricity charges for the first quarter, raising the per-unit electricity cost from Rs 6 to Rs 6.10.

The data reflects mixed trends in essential commodity prices, with overall inflation showing a slight easing despite continued volatility in food and energy costs.