Weekly SPI inflation rises 0.36 percent

ISLAMABAD: The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI)-based inflation for the week ended January 9 for the combined consumption group increased 0.36 percent as compared to the previous week, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Monday.

The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week under review in the abovementioned group was recorded at 132.32 points against 131.84 points registered in the previous week, it added.

The weekly SPI with base year 2015/16=100 is covering 17 urban centres and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups. SPI for the lowest consumption group up to Rs17,732 witnessed 0.45 percent increase and went up to 135.82 points during the week under review from 135.21 points last week.

SPI for the combined consumption group in the week under review witnessed an increase of 20.07 percent, while, for the lowest group, it increased by 19.15 percent.

Meanwhile, SPI for the consumption groups from Rs17,733 to Rs22,888, from Rs22,889 to Rs29,517, Rs29,518 to Rs44,175 and above Rs44,175/month also increased 0.44 percent, 0.42 percent, 0.41 percent and 0.30 percent, respectively.

Average prices of 27 items registered increase, one item price decreased, while prices of the remaining 23 items remained unchanged. The items, which recorded increase in their average prices included pulse gram, bananas, pulse mash, tomatoes, pulse moong, eggs, potatoes, garlic, gur, wheat flour, match box, pulse masoor, washing soap, chicken farm, sugar, powdered milk, mustard oil, vegetable ghee, LPG, cooked beef, toilet soap, cooking oil, georgette, beef with bone, rice basmati, and rice IRRI.

Similarly, prices of the commodities that observed no change during the week under review included bread, mutton, milk fresh, curd, salt powder, chilli powder, tea, cooked pulses, tea prepared, cigarets, long cloth, shirting, lawn printed, gents sandal, ladies sandal, electricity charges, gas charges, firewood whole, energy saver bulb, petrol, hi-speed diesel, and telephone call charges.