A glimmer of hope in Pakistan’s battle against inflation quickly extinguished, leaving households grappling with soaring costs for essential items. Despite a miniscule 0.51% decline, the weekly inflation rate stubbornly remains above 40%, marking a month and a half of economic discomfort.
While headlines trumpeted a dip, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. Of the 51 essential items tracked, 18 experienced price hikes, including eggs, onions, garlic, dals, and cooking gas. These everyday staples, crucial for a balanced diet, became even more inaccessible for many families.
The report highlights the fluctuation in the prices of essential items, revealing an increase in the cost of 18 items, including eggs, onions, dal mong, gram dal, rice, garlic, lentils, and firewood. Additional commodities such as LPG, clothes, and bananas also experienced a surge in prices.
On the other hand, potatoes, tomatoes, sugar, and flour saw a decrease in prices, providing some relief. Notably, the cost of chicken, cooking oil, petrol, and diesel also witnessed a decline over the past week.
As the nation contends with economic challenges, the persistence of high inflation rates raises concerns about the affordability of essential goods for the general population. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, seeking measures to mitigate the impact of rising prices on citizens’ daily lives.
