Islamabad (Commerce Desk): The rate of inflation in the country declined by 0.35 percent during the recent week, while annual inflation was recorded at 11.32 percent. During this period, prices of 15 essential commodities increased, 12 decreased and 24 remained unchanged.
According to the weekly report of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, tomato prices rose by 34.91 percent, potatoes by 3.27 percent, chickpeas by 2.11 percent, plain bread by 1.29 percent, onions by 0.62 percent, milk by 0.48 percent and yoghurt by 0.46 percent. Diesel prices increased by 2.53 percent, firewood by 0.20 percent and vegetable ghee by 0.29 percent.
According to the report, chicken prices declined by 2.95 percent, eggs by 2.81 percent, flour by 0.83 percent, bananas by 0.71 percent, LPG by 0.73 percent, petrol by 0.39 percent and sugar by 0.35 percent. Prices of masoor lentils, powdered milk and several other items also decreased.
Annual inflation rates also declined across different income groups. For people earning up to Rs17,732 per month, the rate stood at 8.07 percent. It was recorded at 9.92 percent for those earning between Rs17,733 and Rs22,888, and 8.95 percent for those earning between Rs22,889 and Rs29,517.
Similarly, inflation stood at 9.51 percent for the income group earning between Rs29,518 and Rs44,175 per month, while it was recorded at 12.13 percent for those earning more than Rs44,176.