ISLAMABAD, Feb 2: The weekly inflation measured through the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) increased by 12.47 per cent during the week ending Jan 31 over the corresponding week last year, according to the weekly price data released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) here on Saturday.
The surge in inflation was the outcome of more than double digit increase in the prices of tomatoes, edible oil and vegetables during the period under review. This unexpected rise in SPI has impacted the monthly budget of consumers, particularly the low salaried people.
The SPI has been witnessing an upward trend for the last two months, mainly as a result of persistent increase in the prices of essential commodities either due to its low production or high imported costs.
The group-wise analysis of behaviour of prices of 53 essential items prevailing in 17 towns of Pakistan shows that the SPI witnessed an increase of 14.84 per cent and 14.58 per cent, respectively, for households in the two lower income brackets (up to Rs3,000 and Rs3,001-5,000).
For households in income brackets of Rs5,001-12,000, the increase in the SPI was in the range of 13.49 per cent, while for the households in the income group basket of over Rs12,000, the inflation registered a growth 10.59 per cent over the last year’s week.
Comparing with the previous week, the SPI registered an increase of 0.23 per cent during the period under review.
Prices of 21 items went up during the period under review as compared to the previous week.
The prices of tomatoes increased by 18.37 per cent to Rs32.61 per kg as against Rs27.55. There was a 9.89 per cent increase in the price of match box which stood at Rs1 each during the week under review as against Rs0.91.
The price of washing soap increased by 1.20 per cent to Rs10.09 per cake from Rs9.97, mustard oil went up by 0.96 per cent to Rs132.68 per kg from Rs131.42, 0.59 per cent in cooked dal plate to Rs20.46 each against Rs20.34, firewood 0.52 per cent to Rs229.98 per 40 kg from Rs228.80; shirting 0.35 per cent to Rs71.65 per metre against Rs71.40, red chillies 0.31 per cent to Rs137.52 per kg against Rs137.09, gram pulse washed 0.29 per cent to Rs41.59 per kg as against Rs41.47.
The price of milk fresh increased by 0.17 per cent to Rs29.74 per kg against Rs29.69, chicken 0.15 per cent to Rs72.33 per kg against Rs72.22, moong pulse washed 0.10 per cent to Rs50.84 per kg against Rs50.79, mash pulse washed 0.10 per cent to Rs70.62 per kg against Rs70.65 and kerosene oil 0.05 per cent to Rs42.68 per litre against Rs42.66.
