- Pakistan’s inflation rate dropped sharply to 4.5% in FY2024–25, a significant improvement from 23.4% in the previous fiscal year, as government policies and supply-side reforms took effect.
Government Reviews Inflation Trends and Policy Performance
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level meeting to assess inflationary trends and price dynamics nationwide. The Chief Statistician delivered the inflation report, noting key shifts across food and commodity categories. Attendees included the Chief Economist, senior officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and representatives from both federal and provincial departments.
Urban Food Inflation and Regional Disruptions
Urban food inflation declined to 4.2%, down from 6.2% last year, signaling progress in market stabilisation. However, the report acknowledged regional price disruptions due to recent highway blockages in Sindh, which caused localised inflationary pressure.
Price Movement of Key Commodities
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported price drops in various essential items, including:
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LPG
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Bananas
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Mustard oil
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Chickpeas
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Moong dal
However, the price of sugar surged to nearly Rs. 190 per kilogram in many cities, driven by a sharp decline in domestic sugar production. This year’s sugar output fell to 5.8 million tons, compared to 6.8 million tons last year. To ease the pressure, the Ministry of Food has initiated plans to import 500,000 tons of sugar to stabilise market prices.
Monitoring Tools Underutilised by Provinces
Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasised the need for rigorous monitoring using the Price Scorecard system. He pointed out significant disparities in platform usage:
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Secretary accessed it 114 times
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Sindh only 10 times
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Punjab 6 times
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Balochistan had no recorded activity
Among Deputy Commissioners:
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Islamabad logged in 27 times
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Karachi 6 times
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Quetta 4 times
The Minister voiced concern over the low engagement levels by certain provinces and directed the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) to submit monthly login reports to each province’s Chief Secretary.
Action Plan for Stronger Price Oversight
To strengthen price control efforts, the Minister instructed:
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Deputy Commissioners to compare wholesale and retail prices regularly
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Immediate corrective actions where discrepancies arise
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Provincial governments to provide active oversight and logistical support
He also stressed the urgent need for an advance supply-demand plan for Ramadan, ensuring timely distribution and price stability during the holy month.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Stability
The Minister praised price stability during Eid Al-Adha, urging authorities to maintain this momentum. He called for stronger coordination between federal and provincial governments to preserve low inflation and prevent future shocks.
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