The financial strain on households across the country has intensified as the weekly inflation rate registered another significant uptick, propelled by a sharp escalation in the prices of 21 essential commodities including chicken, ghee, and onions.

Data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) for the week ending October 9, 2025, revealed that the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) climbed by 0.17% compared to the preceding week. On a year-on-year basis, the weekly inflation rate stood at a concerning 4.34%.

The SPI reached 332.75 points during the review period, a noticeable rise from 332.17 points the previous week and 318.91 points recorded during the same timeframe last year. The report indicated that out of 51 essential items, the cost of 21 increased, six saw a decline, and 24 remained stable.

Leading the surge in prices was chicken, which became dearer by 8.92%, followed by a substantial 7.47% jump in onion prices. The cost of wheat flour also rose by 5.74%, while egg prices advanced by 2.25%. Other items experiencing price hikes included jaggery, garlic, vegetable ghee, firewood, and washing soap.

Conversely, consumers found some relief as tomato prices plummeted by 11.34%. Other items that saw a modest price reduction included bananas (1.29%), potatoes (0.93%), chickpeas (0.35%), and mustard oil (0.07%).

The inflationary pressure varied across different income segments. The SPI recorded a slight 0.14% decrease for the lowest-income group earning up to Rs17,732 per month. However, all other income brackets experienced a rise, with increases ranging from 0.16% to 0.20% for households earning above Rs17,733.

The PBS calculates the SPI based on price fluctuations of a basket of 51 essential goods, with data gathered from 50 markets located in 17 major cities throughout the nation.