Inflation goes up to 9.1pc in March

The inflation edged up to 9.1 per cent from 8.7pc in February, showed data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 15 (29.41%) items increased, 12 (23.53%) items decreased and 24 (47.06%) items remained constant.

The SPI (Sensitive Price Indicator) for the current week ended on April 1 recorded a decrease in the prices of Food items i.e. Chicken (8.44%), Tomatoes (5.70%), Onions (1.95%), Pulse Moong (0.84%), Potatoes (0.74%), Pulse Gram (0.24%), Mustard Oil and Pulse Masoor (0.15% each) and Pulse Mash (0.05%) and Non Food items i.e. Diesel (2.56%), Petrol (1.36%) and LPG (0.51%) with the joint impact of (-0.68%) into the overall SPI for the combined group of (-0.43%).

On the other hand, an increase was observed in the prices of Bananas (2.19%), Sugar (1.92%), Cooking Oil (1.23%) and Mutton (1.04%).

The year on year trend depicts an increase of 17.21% with most of the items increased mainly Chilies Powder (139.64%), Chicken (80.59%), Electricity for Q1 (69.19%), Eggs (42.26%), Tomatoes (33.96%), Gents Sandal (33.37%), Match Box (30.47%), Mustard Oil (29.43%), Gents Sponge Chappal (25.13%), Sugar (22.73%), Washing Soap (21.47%) and Vegetable Ghee 1 Kg (20.86%) While a major decrease was observed in the price of Onions (49.28%), Garlic (44.92%), Potatoes (11.11%), Pulse Moong (10.36%). Pulse Gram (4.20%) and LPG (0.67%).

SPI comprises 51 essential items and the prices are being collected from 50 markets in 17 cities of the country.

SPI is computed on weekly basis to assess the price movements of essential commodities at a shorter interval of time to review the price situation in the country.