KARACHI:

Pakistan’s weekly inflation, measured through the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), recorded a 4.26% year-on-year increase for the week ended February 12, 2026, even as short-term price pressures eased due to declines in key food items, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The latest SPI report showed that on a weekly basis inflation dropped by 0.59%, reflecting falling prices of eggs, tomatoes, chicken and wheat flour, which offered temporary relief to consumers from persistent cost-of-living pressures.

On an annual basis, the 4.26% increase was driven primarily by sharp rises in essential commodities. Tomatoes recorded a massive 73.36% increase compared to the same week of last year, while wheat flour rose by 33.82%. Utility costs also contributed significantly, with gas charges climbing 29.85% year-on-year.

Prices of beef, chilli powder, bananas and powdered milk also posted notable increases, indicating continued inflationary stress on household budgets despite recent weekly declines.

The SPI, which tracks 51 essential items across 17 urban centres, showed mixed trends during the week. Out of the tracked commodities, prices of 15 items increased, another 15 decreased and 21 remained unchanged.

Weekly declines were led by eggs, which dropped 17.61%, followed by tomatoes (12.02%) and chicken (6.34%). Other food staples such as onions, potatoes, sugar and wheat flour also registered modest decreases. LPG prices fell by 1.57%, adding to the downward pressure on the weekly inflation reading.

However, several commodities continued to rise during the week. Bananas increased 7.62%, garlic rose 4.35%, while pulse mash and chilli powder recorded gains of 2.69% and 1.68%, respectively. Meat prices also edged up, with mutton and beef registering small increases, reflecting ongoing supply-side pressures.

The consumption group analysis showed inflationary pressures varied across income levels, with the lowest expenditure group facing a 4.54% annual increase compared to 3.32% for the highest-income group. This highlights the disproportionate impact of price changes on lower-income households, particularly through essential food and energy costs.

Data indicates the mixed SPI trend reflects short-term price corrections in perishable items alongside structurally higher food and utility costs. While weekly declines may offer temporary relief, sustained pressure from utilities and staple food prices suggests inflation risks remain embedded in the economy, requiring continued monitoring by policymakers and markets alike.

The consumer price inflation rose 5.8% year-on-year in January, underscoring the central bank’s warning that price pressures could temporarily breach its target band as economic activity picks up.