Biz-Econ

Inflation in Pakistan drops to lowest levels of last 46 years

The Average inflation rate remained 2.86 percent during the fiscal year 2015-16 as compared to previous year which was the lowest in previous 46 years of the country’s history.On month-on-month basis, the inflation rate increased by 0.64 per cent in June, 2016 as compared to the previous months, Asif Bajwa, Chief Statistician Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said in a press briefing here on Friday.Similarly, he said on year on year basis, the inflation measured through Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 3.19 percent in June, 2016 over same month of last year.During the month of June, 2016 over same month of last year, the trimmed core inflation has been observed as 3.7 per cent while it was 3.8 percent during June, 2015 over June 2014.Likewise, during JUne, 2016 over same period of last year, the non-food and non-energy core inflation has been observed as 4.6 percent while it was 4.6 per cent during June, 2015 over June, 2014.The inflation measured through Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) increased by 1.12 percent while Whole Sale Price Index (WPI) increased by 1.38 percent.The food items which increased during the month included tomatoes (61.11%), potatoes (45.5%), eggs (8.51%), fresh vegetables (5.9%), gram whole (5.68%), cigarettes (4.27%), fresh fruits (2.51%), Gram flour (2.39%), pulse gram (2.2%) and rice (1.4%).The food items, prices of which decreased during the month included chicken (6.74%) and onion (2.22%).Similarly the non-food items, prices of which increased during the month included marriage hall charges (1.9%), tailoring (1.06%), household servant (1.03%) and construction wage rates (0.93%).The non-food items, prices of which decreased during the month included kerosene oil (0.9%) and motor vehicle accessories (0.63%).