ISLAMABAD: Short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), increased by 11.94 per cent year-on-year for the week ending July 9, mainly due to higher retail prices of perishable food items and wheat flour, according to official data released on Friday.

A slight slowdown in short-term inflation has begun, mainly due to a steep cut in petroleum product prices three weeks ago. However, there is a cushion for further reduction in oil prices.

Week-on-week, the index decreased by 0.45pc, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The index declined over the past two consecutive weeks.

The overall SPI showed a broad-based rise, indicating continued pressure on the cost of living.

The increase was largely driven by sharp year-on-year gains in key items, including electricity charges (49.14pc), gas charges (29.85pc), wheat flour (71.22pc), and liquefied petroleum gas (25.51pc).

Food inflation remained elevated, with notable increases in the prices of onions, tomatoes, potatoes, mutton, beef and wheat flour.

Despite this limited easing, energy-related costs continued to weigh on household budgets and push up transport expen­ses across the economy.

The SPI has now recorded an increase for the 65th consecutive week. Although the pace of growth has slowed, it reflects sustained pressure on consumers.

This is cost-push inflation, which means that energy took priority, followed by food. As a result, the average household is under pressure due to higher consumer prices.

Data showed that the prices of 22 items increased, 08 decreased, and 21 remained stable compared to the previous week.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2026