Weekly Inflation Report Pakistan – March 2026 Update

Pakistan is experiencing a fluctuating wave of inflation in 2026, affecting the prices of essential commodities. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), while some items have become slightly cheaper, many basic necessities remain expensive for the average household. This article explains the latest weekly price trends, highlighting which goods got more expensive and which provided some relief to consumers.

Category	Details
Items That Increased in Price	13
Items That Became Cheaper	14
Weekly Inflation Decrease	0.45%
Annual Inflation Rate	4.23%
Wheat Flour Price Increase	29.81%
Electricity Tariff Annual Increase	Over 17%
Gas Charges Increase	30%
Most Reduced Items	Tomato & Chicken

Which Commodities Became More Expensive?

PBS reports that weekly price hikes were seen in essential kitchen items, particularly protein sources and pulses, creating a financial strain on families.

Meat Prices: Mutton and beef prices increased for both large and small cuts.
Pulses: Lentils such as Masoor and Moong became more expensive.
Dairy Products: Yogurt and powdered milk prices also went up.
Other Items: Garlic, LPG, and even clothing saw price increases.

For more detailed statistics, visit the official Pakistan Bureau of Statistics website.

Relief for Consumers: Items That Became Cheaper

Some positive news emerged as prices for vegetables and poultry decreased, providing relief for household budgets.

Vegetables: Tomato, potato, and onion prices fell noticeably.
Poultry and Eggs: Chicken and egg prices dropped, easing daily expenses.
Staples: Flour, sugar, and bread became slightly cheaper.
Government Monitoring: Active price checking contributed to a 0.45% weekly decrease in inflation.

Annual Inflation Comparison

Despite weekly improvements, annual inflation remains high for key necessities, especially energy and food items.

Commodity / Service	Annual Price Increase (%)
Wheat Flour	29.81%
Gas Charges	30%
Tomato	17%
Red Chili	15%
Firewood	11.4%
Electricity Tariff	17%+

Energy Price Hikes and Their Effect

A major contributor to rising inflation in Pakistan is the continual increase in electricity and gas prices. Higher energy costs translate into higher production costs for goods, which are ultimately passed to consumers.

Gas Rates: 30% increase affects both industrial and household users.
Electricity Tariff: Over 17% hike raises monthly bills significantly.
Other Energy Costs: Prices for firewood and jaggery increased by 8-11%.

Latest Information 2026

At the start of March 2026, several new trends are emerging in the Pakistani economy regarding prices:

Weekly Stability: Overall annual inflation rate stands at 4.23%, showing improvement over previous years.
Improved Supply Chains: Better availability of wheat and vegetables is helping stabilize prices.
Energy Price Pressure: Global fuel prices continue to influence electricity and gas rates.

Conclusion

In summary, last week in Pakistan saw mixed inflation trends. While 13 essential items like garlic, meat, and lentils became more expensive, 14 items including tomatoes, chicken, flour, and sugar became cheaper, giving consumers some relief. Annual increases in flour and gas remain concerning, but the 0.45% weekly reduction in inflation is a positive sign for the economy.