Islamabad, January 23, 2026 – Pakistan’s weekly inflation has jumped 4.18% year-on-year, sending shockwaves across households, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The data, released Friday, reveals a volatile market with sharp price swings in essential commodities during the week ending January 22, 2026.
The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), which tracks 51 key items across 50 markets in 17 cities, shows a weekly decline of 0.48%, driven by falling rates of chicken (-16.68%), potatoes (-8.52%), onions (-7.27%), LPG (-3.54%), and cooking essentials such as vegetable ghee (-0.87%) and cooking oil (-0.53%). Other items like salt, gur, pulses, and cigarettes also saw minor decreases.
However, several commodities saw staggering price hikes, including tomatoes (+9.83%), bananas (+3.66%), wheat flour (+2.27%), eggs (+1.02%), and firewood (+0.56%). Out of the 51 items tracked, 12 items increased, 11 decreased, and 28 remained stable, reflecting the fluctuating consumer market.
The year-on-year trend highlights dramatic rises in essentials: wheat flour (+38.60%), eggs (+35.99%), gas charges Q1 (+29.85%), beef (+12.75%), chilies powder (+12.56%), and firewood (+10.83%). Fruits like tomatoes (+10.02%) and bananas (+9.94%), along with powdered milk (+9.79%), also contributed to the inflationary pressure. Meanwhile, prices of potatoes (-47.26%), garlic (-36.28%), onions (-35.55%), pulses, chicken, tea, and fuel items slightly decreased, offering minor relief.
Experts warn that inflationary pressures are likely to persist, affecting household budgets and pushing consumers to rethink spending on staples. This volatile surge in prices signals a critical moment for Pakistan’s economy, as everyday essentials continue to challenge affordability for citizens nationwide.