ISLAMABAD: Inflation measured through Sensitive Price Index (SPI) edged up 0.04 per cent for the week ended on March 3 driven by rising essential food items, data released by the Pakis­tan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed on Friday.

The SPI increased for the third consecutive week. It posted the highest jump of 1.35pc on Feb 3.

For the lowest income group earning below Rs17,732 per month, the SPI increased by 0.12pc and for the group earning above Rs44,175, it declined by 0.03pc.

This was mainly due to an increase in prices of essential food items including chicken 10.47pc, bananas 7.06pc, vegetable ghee 1 kg 4.08pc, vegetable ghee 2.5 kg 3.69pc, mustard oil 2.98pc, cooking oil 5 liter 2.19pc and powdered milk 1.11pc. The non-food items which saw an increase were LPG 9.45pc and georgette 1.06pc, respectively.

The items whose prices decreased during the week included tomatoes 27.06pc, eggs 7.18pc, diesel 6.43pc, petrol 6.23pc, garlic 3.27pc, pulse moong 0.96pc, pulse masoor 0.69pc, onions 0.40pc, wheat flour 0.35pc, sugar 0.27pc, potatoes 0.20pc, pulse mash 0.16pc and gur 0.10pc.

During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 20 items increased 11 items decreased and 20 items remained constant.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2022

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...