Rising fuel costs triggers fresh surge in inflation: PBS 

Rising fuel costs have triggered a fresh surge in inflation, with weekly prices climbing by 1.93%, according to new figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The increase has pushed the annual inflation rate to 12.15%. 

According to Pakistan Bureau data, prices of 28 essential items went up the past week, while 8 items became cheaper and 15 remained stable. A major driver behind the spike was the sharp jump in fuel prices. Diesel recorded a massive increase of 54.71%, while petrol rose by 17.86%, significantly impacting transportation costs and overall market prices. 

Food items also contributed to the upward trend. Tomato prices surged by 9.35%, LPG by 8.61%, and potatoes by 4.13%. Eggs became costlier by 3.77%, while bread saw a slight increase of 0.47%.

Meat prices edged up as well, with beef and mutton rising by 1.07% and 1.05%, respectively. However, some items offered limited relief. Garlic and bananas saw price drops of 3.78% and 3.39%, while chicken, flour, ghee, and cooking oil also recorded slight declines. The latest figures highlight the ongoing strain on household budgets, as fluctuations in fuel prices continue to ripple through the broader economy. 

Reporter: Waqas Azeem