Islamabad, April 25, 2025 – The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) inflation dropped by 1.92% during the week ending April 24, 2025, according to the latest report released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The decrease in inflation was primarily driven by a substantial 19.17% fall in electricity charges for the first quarter (Q1), offering some relief to consumers amid persistent economic pressures.
The SPI, which is a short-term gauge of inflation, tracks the price movements of 51 essential items across 50 markets in 17 major cities in Pakistan. It provides a timely insight into changing cost-of-living conditions faced by households, especially those in lower and middle-income groups.
During the week under review, prices of several key household items declined, contributing to the downward trend in SPI inflation. Besides electricity, notable price decreases were observed in Chicken (11.75%), Wheat Flour (5.68%), Garlic (4.66%), Bananas (3.51%), Onions (1.93%), Rice IRRI-6/9 (1.58%), Mustard Oil (1.10%), LPG (1.09%), and Tomatoes (0.76%).
Conversely, some items witnessed price hikes. Potatoes led the increase with a 6.94% rise, followed by Eggs (0.66%), Salt Powder and Cigarettes (0.51% each), Gur (0.37%), Curd (0.18%), Pulse Masoor (0.09%), Long Cloth (0.08%), Pulse Gram (0.07%), and Lawn Printed (0.06%).
Overall, out of the 51 items monitored, 18 items (35.29%) recorded a decrease, 11 items (21.57%) showed an increase, while the prices of 22 items (43.14%) remained unchanged.
The year-on-year analysis of SPI inflation shows a 3.52% overall decline. Major annual reductions were seen in Onions (69.78%), Tomatoes (40.77%), Garlic (31.96%), Wheat Flour (30.70%), and Electricity Charges (29.40%). Other commodities like Tea, Potatoes, Pulse Mash, Petrol, and Diesel also posted declines.
However, annual inflation increases were reported in items such as Ladies Sandals (55.62%), Pulse Moong (26.85%), Powdered Milk (23.11%), Pulse Gram (21.08%), and Beef (18.64%), indicating mixed trends across categories.
The continued monitoring of SPI inflation is crucial for policy formulation and for adjusting subsidy programs to support vulnerable segments affected by volatile food and energy prices.