KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s inflationary pressures continued to mount, with the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) increasing 12.31% year-on-year in the week ended November 5, 2026, as persistently high energy prices linked to tensions in the Middle East kept household expenses elevated.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the combined SPI stood at 374.61 points, compared with 333.55 points during the corresponding week last year. On a weekly basis, the index recorded a modest increase of 0.29%, rising from 373.51 points in the previous week.
Energy products recorded the steepest annual price increases. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) surged 114.88%, while electricity charges for the first consumption quintile increased 52.38%. High-speed diesel prices climbed 39.27% and petrol became 36.34% more expensive compared with the same period last year.
Food prices also contributed to the rising cost of living, with tomatoes recording an annual increase of 78.89%, wheat flour 33.95% and chicken 31.81%.
The weekly increase largely reflected higher prices of tomatoes, which jumped 54.18%. LPG rose 3.72%, potatoes 2.07%, eggs 1.17% and garlic 1.06%. However, falling fuel prices offered some relief, as petrol declined 4.20% and diesel dropped 2.97%. Pulses, sugar and wheat flour also recorded minor decreases.
The PBS monitored 51 essential commodities across 50 markets in 17 cities. Prices of 21 items increased during the week, while 10 declined and 20 remained unchanged.
Inflationary pressures varied across income groups. The lowest expenditure quintile recorded a weekly increase of 0.86% and an annual rise of 10.15%. Meanwhile, the highest expenditure group experienced a 0.10% weekly increase, while its year-on-year inflation rate reached 12.75%.
Separately, Pakistan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation eased to 9.6% in October from 10.3% in September. However, the rate remained considerably higher than the 6.2% recorded in October 2025. Monthly inflation also slowed to 1.1% in October from 1.3% in the preceding month.
