ISLAMABAD: The weekly inflation based on Sensitive Price Index (SPI) for the combined consumption group witnessed a nominal decrease of 0.22 per cent compared to the preceding week.

The SPI for the week ended on Dec 17 was recorded at 140.73 points against 141.04, showed data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.

As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined consumption group witnessed an increase of 8.24pc.

The SPI with base year 2015-16 is covering 17 urban centres and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups.

For the lowest consumption group up to Rs17,732, the SPI decreased 0.96pc over the preceding week.

During the week, prices of 8 items decreased, 20 items increased while that of 23 items remained constant.

The items, which recorded decrease in their average prices, included tomatoes, potatoes, onions, chicken, moong pulse, masoor pulse, gur and wheat flour.

The commodities, which recorded increase in their average prices, included electricity charges, garlic, petrol, diesel, bananas, eggs, washing soap, mustard oil, sugar, cooking oil (loose), Gram pulse, vegetable ghee (tin), vegetable ghee (loose), mash pulse, shirting, milk (powdered), rice (Irri 6/9), LPG cylinder, firewood and mutton.

Similarly, the prices of the commodities that observed no change during the week under review included rice (Basmati broken), bread, beef, milk (fresh), curd, salt, chillies, tea (prepared), cooked beef, cooked daal, tea (prepared) cigarettes, long cloth, lawn, georgette, gents sandal, gents chappal, ladies sandal, gas charges, energy saver, match box, telephone call and toilet soap.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2020