Pakistan's Double-Digit Inflation Persists Amid Fuel Price Surge

Pakistan's inflation rate remains in double digits due to rising fuel and power costs, according to recent data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The inflation rate eased to 10.3% in September, down from 11.1% in August, but remained above the government's projections.

The consumer price index rose by 1.3% month-on-month in September, with food prices declining substantially to 8.1% in cities and 7.7% in rural areas. However, energy-related inflation increased, reaching 11.5% in urban areas and 13.1% in rural areas.

Petrol prices were 39% higher than a year earlier, while electricity became 33% more expensive. The government estimates that if oil prices remain near $100 through December, annual inflation could reach 8.2%. Authorities expect price pressures to remain elevated until December before gradually easing.