Pakistan’s short-term inflation increased 0.99% week-on-week during the week ended September 24, 2026, while annual inflation measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) reached 11.92%, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The SPI rose to 369.69 from 366.05 a week earlier and 330.32 during the same week last year. Of the 51 essential items tracked by the PBS, prices of 20 increased, 10 declined and 21 remained unchanged.
Electricity charges for the first quarter recorded the largest weekly increase, rising 18.76%. The average rate increased to Rs. 7.66 per unit from Rs. 6.45 previously. On a yearly basis, electricity charges were 58.59% higher.
Among other items that became more expensive during the week, eggs rose 2.02%, garlic 1.57%, LPG 1.55%, masoor pulse 0.75%, chicken 0.72% and wheat flour 0.11%.
The increase was partly offset by lower prices of several food items. Tomato prices fell 13.45%, followed by potatoes at 8.33%, bananas at 5.66% and onions at 2.42%. Diesel prices declined 1.57%, while petrol fell 0.34%.
On a year-on-year basis, onions recorded the largest increase at 115.98%. LPG prices were 63.97% higher, followed by electricity at 58.59%, diesel at 51.80%, petrol at 47.49% and wheat flour at 32.41%.
Several commodities, however, were cheaper compared with a year earlier. Potato prices declined 39.21%, sugar 21.14%, tomatoes 19.81%, eggs 18.40% and powdered salt 14.73%.
Inflation varied across income groups. The highest expenditure group, with monthly spending above Rs. 44,175, recorded the highest annual increase of 12.31%. Its weekly inflation rose 0.85%. The lowest expenditure group recorded a 9.69% annual increase and a 0.85% weekly rise.
The latest data also showed an acceleration in weekly inflation compared with the previous week, when the SPI increased 0.49%. Over the past 10 weeks, the SPI increased from 360.88 on July 23 to 369.69 on September 24, while its annual growth rose from 9.66% to 11.92%.
