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Aftab Maken
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s weekly inflation, measured through the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), declined by 0.56 percent for the week ending June 4, 2026, mainly due to lower prices of petroleum products and chicken, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The weekly decline was largely driven by a 9.48 percent drop in chicken prices, followed by a 9.13 percent decrease in garlic prices. Diesel and petrol prices also fell by 7.01 percent and 6.80 percent, respectively, reflecting the recent reduction in domestic fuel prices announced by the government.
Other commodities that recorded slight declines during the week included pulse gram, pulse mash, pulse moong, mustard oil, beef and firewood.
However, the relief from lower fuel and poultry prices was partly offset by sharp increases in the prices of several essential food items. Onion prices surged by 28.16 percent during the week, while potatoes became 21.91 percent more expensive. Tomato prices also rose significantly by 9.56 percent.
Among other items, the prices of bananas, vegetable ghee, washing soap, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), cooking oil, fresh milk, wheat flour and cigarettes registered moderate increases.
According to the PBS report, out of the 51 essential commodities included in the SPI basket, prices of 22 items, representing 43.14 percent, increased during the week. Prices of 10 items, or 19.61 percent, declined, while 19 items remained unchanged.
Despite the weekly decline, the year-on-year SPI inflation rate stood at 14.75 percent, indicating that the cost of living remains considerably higher than the same period last year.
On an annual basis, onions recorded the sharpest increase, with prices soaring by 100.68 percent compared to the corresponding week of last year. Wheat flour prices were up 59.88 percent, while electricity charges for the first quarter increased by 59.40 percent.
LPG, petrol and diesel prices also remained substantially higher than a year earlier, posting increases of 57.09 percent, 50.60 percent and 49.63 percent, respectively.
Other commodities witnessing notable annual increases included tomatoes, mutton, chili powder, beef, bananas and powdered milk.
In contrast, prices of several food staples declined compared with last year. Potatoes became 38.44 percent cheaper, while egg prices dropped by 26.67 percent. Pulse gram, sugar, salt powder and chicken also registered significant year-on-year declines.
The Sensitive Price Indicator is compiled weekly by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to monitor short-term inflation trends. The index covers 51 essential commodities collected from 50 markets across 17 major cities, providing policymakers with an early assessment of changes in the prices of basic consumer goods.
