Pakistan’s inflation climbed higher than expected in November, reaching 6.15%, according to official data released on Monday. The Ministry of Finance had projected last month’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) to remain between 5% and 6%, but rising food and utility costs pushed inflation beyond the upper estimate.
Figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) show that prices increased by 0.40% month-on-month, while average inflation for the July–November period stood at 5.01%.
Sharp Increase in Food Prices
Several essential food items saw steep price hikes in November, intensifying pressure on household budgets:
Onions: +48%
Potatoes: +67%
Fresh fruits: +27%
Red meat: +81%
Wheat products: +61%
Cooking oil: +55%
Live broiler chicken: +17%
Eggs: +8%
Fish: +3%
Wheat: +12%
Milk: +1%
Utilities and Services Also More Expensive
Inflation was further driven by increases across key non-food categories:
Electricity charges: +11%
Readymade garments: +70%
Fuel: +21%
Medical tests: +2%
Medicines: +1.48%
The combination of rising food prices, energy costs, and transportation expenses continues to strain household incomes, highlighting the persistent economic challenges facing consumers as the year draws to a close.
