Inflation surges at start of Ramadan, weekly rate jumps to 1.16pc
Business
Inflation rises 1.16% in a week at start of Ramadan, annual rate reaches 5.19%. Prices of chicken, fuel and vegetables increase, while flour, sugar and eggs see slight decline.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Inflation recorded a sharp increase at the very start of Ramadan, with the weekly rate climbing by 1.16 percent, pushing the overall annual inflation rate to 5.19 percent, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The bureau’s weekly report revealed that prices of 17 essential commodities rose over the past week, while 12 items became cheaper and 22 remained stable.
Among the most noticeable increases, bananas went up by Rs28 per dozen.
The price of live chicken surged by as much as Rs19 per kilogram, while garlic rose by Rs28 per kg and onions by Rs3 per kg.
Tomatoes also saw an increase of Rs4 per kg during the week. Fuel prices added further pressure on consumers, with high-speed diesel increasing by Rs7.26 and petrol rising by Rs5 per liter. The cost of a domestic LPG cylinder also went up by Rs26.
Azma Bokhari warns against overpricing during Ramazan, announces relief measures
On the other hand, some relief was recorded in a few essential items.
Eggs became cheaper by Rs33 per dozen, potatoes declined by Rs1 per kg, and the price of a 20kg flour bag dropped by as much as Rs47. Sugar prices decreased by Rs1.50 per kg, while lentils (masoor), cooking oil, ghee, rice, and jaggery were also among items that recorded price reductions.
Despite limited relief in certain commodities, the overall spike in food and fuel prices at the onset of Ramadan has added to consumer concerns over rising living costs.
