Inflation in Pakistan, measured through the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), fell by 1.92 per cent in the week ending 24 April 2025, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The decline was primarily attributed to a significant reduction in electricity tariffs, along with falling prices of chicken, wheat flour, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Electricity charges for the first quarter dropped by 19.17 per cent, while chicken prices declined by 11.75 per cent. Wheat flour became cheaper by 5.68 per cent and LPG by 1.09 per cent.
On an annual basis, inflation was down by 3.52 per cent compared to the same week last year. The year-on-year decline was largely due to substantial price drops in essential food items and fuel. Onion prices plummeted by nearly 70 per cent, while tomatoes and garlic saw decreases of 40.77 per cent and 31.96 per cent, respectively. Wheat flour was 30.70 per cent cheaper, and electricity costs were down 29.40 per cent. Other notable declines included tea (17 per cent), potatoes (17 per cent), chili powder (15.69 per cent), maash pulse (15.62 per cent), petrol (13.24 per cent), and diesel (10.85 per cent).
However, some products saw steep increases. The price of ladies’ sandals surged by over 55 per cent, while moong pulse rose 26.85 per cent and powdered milk 23.11 per cent. Increases were also recorded in items such as sugar, beef, various pulses, vegetable ghee, cooked lentils, firewood, and printed fabrics.
Of the 51 items monitored during the week, prices of 18 items fell, 11 rose, and 22 remained unchanged.
The overall SPI was recorded at 308.86 points, down from 314.92 points the previous week.
The weekly decline affected all income groups, with the lowest-income households (earning up to Rs17,732 per month) experiencing a 1.81 per cent decrease in inflation. Middle-income groups saw a sharper fall of up to 2.33 per cent, while households earning above Rs44,175 saw a 1.59 per cent drop.
Items that became more expensive included potatoes (up 6.94 per cent), Lifebuoy soap (0.90 per cent), eggs (0.66 per cent), Capstan cigarettes (0.51 per cent), and a range of everyday essentials like powdered salt, gur, curd, masoor pulse, cloth, and printed lawn fabric.
Meanwhile, key items that became cheaper over the week included garlic (down 4.66 per cent), bananas (3.51 per cent), onions (1.93 per cent), rice, mustard oil, tomatoes, plain bread, sugar, pulses, and various brands of cooking oil and ghee.
The PBS report provides a snapshot of price trends that directly impact household budgets, especially for lower-income groups, and reflects the effects of seasonal changes, policy adjustments, and market supply conditions.
