The Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) released its latest report revealing a 0.3% rise in inflation last week, pushing the annual rate to a staggering 17.96%.
The report highlights a significant increase in the prices of 23 essential commodities, while 7 items saw rate cuts.
The kitchen table has become the main battleground in this price war. Onion, a staple of Pakistani cuisine, has seen a shocking increase of Rs 36 per kilogram in just a week. Garlic prices have also gone up by Rs 16 per kg, further straining domestic budgets.
Eggs, another essential source of protein, have gone up by a whopping Rs 11.17 per dozen. The cost of cooking gas has also skyrocketed, with the price of domestic LPG cylinders rising significantly.
To make matters worse, the price of dal mash has gone up by five and a half rupees, while live chicken has gone up by Rs 2.36.
While the overall picture is bleak, there has been some minor relief on some fronts. Tomatoes saw a welcome drop in price by Rs 27.23 per kg. Additionally, a 20 kg bag of flour has become cheaper by Rs 26.57.
However, these declines were overshadowed by the overall inflation trend and provided little comfort to consumers struggling with rising costs.
