Prices of Daily Essentials Continue to Surge
Pakistan has witnessed another rise in the prices of essential food items, including tomatoes, sugar, rice, pulses, and onions, during the past week. The latest government data shows that the prices of 22 commonly used commodities went up, adding to the financial burden on millions of households.
The increase comes despite the Federal Bureau of Statistics reporting a marginal slowdown in overall inflation. According to its latest weekly inflation report, the pace of price hikes dropped slightly by 0.2 percent. On a yearly basis, however, inflation stood at 5.03 percent.
Tomatoes and Onions Lead the Price Surge
The steepest increases were recorded in vegetables, particularly onions and tomatoes. Onion prices surged by 12.17 percent in just one week, while tomatoes rose by 10.47 percent.
Over the past year, tomatoes have become nearly 90 percent more expensive, making them one of the hardest-hit items in household budgets. Sugar, another staple, has increased by 29 percent over the same period, sparking concerns of a wider sugar crisis that has already forced government intervention. Wheat flour prices climbed by 18.65 percent.
Other items that saw a notable increase included potatoes, eggs, moong and mash pulses, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), firewood, and clothing. These hikes affect both urban and rural families who rely heavily on these products for daily living.
Some Commodities Show Relief
Not all commodities became more expensive. The report highlighted price reductions in a few items, bringing minor relief to consumers. Wheat flour, for instance, dropped by 9.80 percent during the past week, while chicken prices fell by 3.20 percent.
However, these decreases were limited compared to the broader rise in other essentials. The overall picture still points to growing cost-of-living pressures, especially for lower- and middle-income families.
Inflation Hits Income Groups Differently
The government report also revealed how inflation is affecting different income groups unevenly. Households earning up to 17,732 Pakistani rupees per month—the lowest income bracket—saw inflation rise by 4.89 percent.
For families earning above 44,176 rupees per month, the increase was slightly higher at 5.15 percent. Middle-income groups, however, felt the strongest pinch, with inflation rates ranging between 5.23 percent and 5.85 percent.
This suggests that while inflation is widespread, middle-class families—who often lack subsidies available to the poorest—are bearing a disproportionate share of the burden.
Broader Economic Context
Pakistan has been grappling with persistent inflation for more than two years, fueled by a combination of currency depreciation, global commodity price shocks, supply chain disruptions, and even natural disasters such as floods that deepened the inflation crisis. While official figures suggest a slowdown in inflation, ordinary citizens continue to feel the pressure as wages fail to keep pace with rising costs.
Food inflation remains a major concern. According to previous government data, food accounts for nearly 40 percent of household expenditures in Pakistan. This means even small increases in prices of staples like flour, rice, and sugar have an outsized impact on family budgets.
The country’s economy has also been under strain from high energy costs, political instability, and a heavy reliance on imports for several essential goods. Combined, these factors continue to erode consumer purchasing power.
Daily Struggles for Ordinary Citizens
For many Pakistanis, the persistent rise in food prices translates into difficult daily choices. Families report cutting down on nutritional diversity, reducing consumption of meat, and substituting expensive items like tomatoes with cheaper alternatives.
Street vendors and small shopkeepers have also raised concerns, saying that fluctuating prices make it harder to maintain stable sales. “Every week the rates change,” one vendor in Karachi told local media. “Customers argue, but what can we do? We buy at high prices too.”
The government has promised to strengthen price monitoring and take steps to control supply disruptions. However, for now, ordinary consumers see little respite as inflation continues to erode their living standards.
Outlook
While the Federal Bureau of Statistics noted a slight dip in the inflation rate, the data shows that Pakistan’s inflation challenge is far from over. The ongoing rise in food and energy prices signals continued hardship for millions of families.
Unless significant measures are taken to stabilize supply chains and control profiteering, experts warn that the cycle of rising prices may persist, leaving households struggling to afford even the most basic necessities.
