ISLAMABAD: Inflationary pressures remain entrenched, with the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) for the week ended April 23, 2026, recording a 13.98 per cent year-on-year increase, even before the government’s latest petroleum price hike of Rs.26.77 per litre announced on April 24 night. Economists warn that the fresh fuel adjustment will push inflation even higher in the coming weeks.
The combined SPI stood at 352.04 points compared to 308.86 a year earlier, reflecting broad-based increases across all income quintiles. While the index slipped marginally by 0.33pc from the previous week, households across the spectrum faced double-digit inflation: from 11.38pc for the lowest quintile to 14.16pc for middle-income groups. The wealthiest quintile also saw a steep 13.45pc rise, underscoring the pervasive nature of price pressures.
دس دس ارب کے لگژری جہازوں میں گھومنے والے، بیرون ملک سے علاج کرانیوالے، اپنی تنخواہوں اور مراعات میں لاکھوں کا اضافہ کرنیوالے اور اشتہار بازی پر سرکاری پیسہ پانی کی طرح بہانے والے حکمرانوں کو خبر ہو کہ مہنگائی بڑھنے کی سالانہ شرح 13.98 فیصد تک جا پہنچی ہے۔۔یہ سرکار کے اپنے ادارہ… pic.twitter.com/D77f7i8qnd
— Kismat Khan (@KismatZimri) April 25, 2026
With petrol now retailing at Rs. 393.35 per litre and diesel at Rs. 380.20 per litre after the latest hike, transporters have already announced a 10pc increase in freight rates, a move expected to cascade into higher costs for food, fuel, and other essentials.
Goods transporters raise freight rates as petroleum prices surge
Analysts caution that the SPI figures released this week do not yet capture the impact of the April 24 fuel hike, meaning the next cycle of data will likely show sharper inflationary momentum.
Reports have highlighted how double-digit inflation continues to squeeze kitchen budgets despite occasional weekly relief, while diesel-fuelled distribution networks have hit historic highs, offering little respite to consumers. The Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has condemned the government’s pricing policies, warning that rising costs are fueling unemployment and deepening public discontent.
Economic observers argue that unless targeted relief measures are introduced, the combination of surging fuel costs and freight charges will intensify inflationary pressures, leaving households across Pakistan bracing for even tougher weeks ahead.
