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.

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