ISLAMABAD: The latest set of figures released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics revealed a marked increase in the price level, with the CPI (Consumer Price Index) rising 25 per cent in October from a year earlier, and 2.12 per cent during September, according to Reuters.

According to the report, the highest increases were felt in food prices; non-perishable food items rising over 40 per cent and perishable food items rising over 23 per cent over the past year.

The effects of the inflationary pressure were felt hardest by the poor, with the SPI (Sensitive Price Indicator, a weekly measure of the price of 53 items of daily household use by income group) showing a 35 per cent increase over the past year for those earning less than Rs. 3000 a month as compared to a 31 per cent increase over the past year for those earning more than 12000 Rupees a month.

The WPI (Wholesale Price Index) showed the effect of falling commodities prices, showing a decrease of 1.87 per cent for month of September 2008, and an increase of 28.38 per cent for the year ending October 2008.