Weekly SPI Headline Movement and Expenditure Quintiles
The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week ended 22 October 2026 rose by 0.65% compared to the preceding week ended 15 October 2026, lifting the combined index level from 372.43 to 374.84. On an annual basis, the combined index increased by 11.85% compared to the corresponding week of the previous year, when it stood at 335.14. Across the 51 monitored essential commodities surveyed across 50 markets in 17 urban centres, prices of 19 items increased, 12 items decreased, and 20 items remained unchanged during the week. [1] [2]
Weekly inflation measured unevenly across the five distinct household consumption quintiles. The lowest expenditure group (Q1, up to PKR 17,732 per month) recorded an SPI increase of 0.51% week-on-week, moving from 356.35 to 358.18, and an 8.45% increase year-on-year. For the second quintile (Q2, PKR 17,733 to PKR 22,888), the weekly increase was 0.49% to reach 361.70, representing a 10.37% year-on-year rise. Quintile 3 (PKR 22,889 to PKR 29,517) increased by 0.54% to 382.69, while Quintile 4 (PKR 29,518 to PKR 44,175) grew 0.56% to 370.10. The highest expenditure group (Q5, above PKR 44,175) saw the largest weekly advance of 0.74% to 374.99, corresponding to a 12.69% annual increase. [1] [2]
Commodities Driving the Weekly Fluctuations
The 0.65% week-on-week upward push in the combined index was primarily steered by spikes in energy and food items. The national average retail price of an 11.67 kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder climbed 22.44% in a single week, advancing from PKR 5,154.16 to PKR 6,310.76. Live farm broiler chicken rose 12.20% from PKR 395.98 per kg to PKR 444.27 per kg. Additional weekly increases were observed in onions (4.19% to PKR 188.57 per kg), shirting fabric (1.86%), small plain bread (1.66% to PKR 122.04 each), a 20 kg wheat flour bag (1.00% to PKR 2,976.12), garlic (0.74%), whole firewood (0.71%), and 1 kg vegetable ghee pouches (0.59%). [1] [2]
These price pressures were partially tempered by steep drops in perishable produce and regulated motor fuel rates. Tomatoes registered the sharpest weekly reduction, falling 21.99% from PKR 119.43 per kg to PKR 93.17 per kg. Petrol super declined 3.63% from PKR 396.06 to PKR 381.67 per litre, while high-speed diesel dropped 1.68% from PKR 398.89 to PKR 392.17 per litre. Other items recording decreases during the week included local bananas (-2.42% to PKR 128.09 per dozen), potatoes (-1.38% to PKR 49.47 per kg), pulse gram (-0.93% to PKR 297.50 per kg), farm eggs (-0.58% to PKR 261.86 per dozen), and refined sugar (-0.35% to PKR 141.61 per kg). [1] [2]
Annual Comparisons and Urban Price Variations
Over the past 52 weeks, the 11.85% year-on-year rise in the combined SPI reflects elevated rates in both kitchen staples and household utilities. An 11.67 kg LPG cylinder jumped 107.12% from PKR 3,046.92 in October 2025 to PKR 6,310.76 in October 2026. Onions rose 72.81% year-on-year, while electricity charges for the first quintile surged 58.59% (from PKR 4.83 to PKR 7.66 per unit). Petrol and high-speed diesel were 44.17% and 41.56% higher than their respective levels of PKR 264.74 and PKR 277.04 per litre a year earlier. Farm broiler chicken advanced 38.99% year-on-year, and 20 kg wheat flour bags increased 36.49%. Conversely, tomatoes fell 71.72% year-on-year from PKR 329.45 per kg, potatoes dropped 40.75% from PKR 83.50 per kg, and refined sugar decreased 25.00% from PKR 188.81 per kg. [1] [2]
Urban retail breakdowns illustrate notable geographic dispersion across surveyed centers as of 22 October 2026. The average price of a 20 kg wheat flour bag ranged from PKR 2,418.34 in Multan and PKR 2,477.84 in Lahore to PKR 3,412.18 in Karachi and PKR 3,393.30 in Hyderabad. A kilogram of onions averaged PKR 144.68 in Quetta, compared to PKR 234.17 in Islamabad. In the non-food category, an 11.67 kg LPG cylinder sold for an average of PKR 5,600.00 in Larkana and PKR 5,700.00 in Sargodha, whereas consumers in Sialkot and Bahawalpur faced average prices of PKR 7,002.00 and PKR 7,033.18 respectively. [2]
Sources and reporting periods
- [1] Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the Week Ended on 22.10.2026 - Executive Summary — published 2026-10-23; reporting period: Week ended 22 October 2026.
- [2] Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the Week Ended on 22-10-2026 - Annexure III — published 2026-10-23; reporting period: Week ended 22 October 2026.
