Pakistan’s annual consumer inflation eased from 10.3 per cent in September to 9.6 per cent in October. Prices continued to rise from the previous month, with rural households facing a larger monthly increase than urban households. The statistics bureau’s release also showed faster annual wholesale inflation despite the slowdown in consumer prices. National consumer prices rose 1.1 per cent from September, while the urban increase was 0.8 per cent.
Pakistan’s annual consumer inflation slowed to 9.6 per cent in October from 10.3 per cent in September, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The annual rate remained above the 6.2 per cent recorded in October of the previous year. National consumer prices increased 1.1 per cent from September, following a monthly rise of 1.3 per cent.[1], [2]
Urban annual inflation declined to 9.5 per cent from 10.1 per cent. Prices in cities rose 0.8 per cent from the previous month, compared with 1.3 per cent in September. Rural annual inflation eased to 9.8 per cent from 10.5 per cent. However, the rural monthly increase accelerated to 1.5 per cent from 1.2 per cent. The urban and rural series both compare October prices with those of the same month a year earlier for their annual rates.[1]
The wholesale price index rose 13.8 per cent annually, compared with 13.3 per cent in September and 1.1 per cent a year earlier. Wholesale prices increased 0.9 per cent from the preceding month, slower than September’s 1.9 per cent rise. The sensitive price indicator, a separate price measure, increased 8.7 per cent annually, up from 8.4 per cent in September. Its monthly increase also accelerated, to 1.3 per cent from 1.0 per cent.[1]
