Pakistan Inflation Reaches 13.98% Amid Rising Energy Prices

The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) reported a 0.33% decrease in weekly inflation for the week ending April 23, 2026, despite the annual rate rising sharply. The SPI for the week was recorded at 352.04 points, down from 353.21 points the previous week. Notably, prices of 19 essential items increased, while 9 items saw a decline, and 23 remained stable. Major price increases were observed in potatoes (up 3.13%), bread (up 0.91%), and cooking oil (up 0.69%), while tomatoes experienced a significant drop of 27.65% and onions fell by 9.35%. This mixed trend indicates ongoing volatility in essential commodity prices, which is critical for households managing tight budgets.