Pakistan’s weekly inflation, measured through the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased slightly by 0.49 percent for the week ending October 16, 2025. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported that the SPI for the combined consumption group rose to 334.39 points compared to 332.75 points during the previous week. On an annual basis, inflation recorded a 4.57 percent rise compared to the same week last year, indicating persistent price pressure on essential goods across the country.
The SPI index, based on 2015–16 prices, covers 17 urban centers and tracks 51 key household items. The lowest income group, earning up to Rs17,732 per month, experienced the sharpest weekly increase of 1.07 percent, as their index climbed to 329.37 points from 325.88 points. Meanwhile, inflation for higher income groups also went up, ranging between 0.29 percent and 0.92 percent, showing that price increases affected nearly all spending brackets.
Read more : gold-breaks-4000-mark-amid-economic-turmoil/
During the week, prices of 24 essential commodities rose, while 8 saw declines and 19 remained unchanged. The steepest increases were observed in tomatoes, which surged by 33.20 percent, followed by onions with an 8.70 percent jump. Eggs, wheat flour, garlic, and potatoes also recorded notable upticks. Rising food prices have remained a key factor in overall inflation, particularly hurting low-income households who spend most of their income on basic groceries.
Conversely, prices of chicken, bananas, and various pulses declined during the same period, offering limited relief to consumers. Chicken prices dropped by 6.38 percent, while bananas fell by 4.70 percent, and pulse gram by 2.20 percent. Similarly, petrol and diesel prices declined by 2.09 percent and 0.55 percent respectively, slightly easing transportation and fuel costs. However, these reductions were not enough to offset the sharp increases in perishable food items.
On a yearly basis, tomatoes saw an extraordinary rise of 121.38 percent, followed by ladies’ sandals at 55.62 percent and sugar at 36.94 percent. Other major yearly increases included gas charges, wheat flour, and beef. In contrast, significant yearly drops were noted in onions, chicken, and electricity charges. Analysts suggest that while fuel prices have softened slightly, recurring supply chain disruptions and seasonal food shortages continue to drive weekly inflation upward, keeping living costs elevated for most households.