Pakistan’s Sensitive Price Index (SPI) recorded a small weekly decline of 0.03 percent for the week ending January 29, 2026, mainly due to lower prices of several key food items, according to figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The decline was largely driven by a sharp fall in potato prices, which dropped by 7.81 percent during the week. Onion prices also fell by 6.66 percent, while salt powder declined by 1.36 percent.
Other items that became cheaper included wheat flour, pulse masoor, eggs, gur, and broken basmati rice, providing some relief to consumers.
However, prices of several essential items moved upward. Tomatoes recorded the highest increase at 7.53 percent followed by chicken, bananas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Increases were also noted in pulses, chilli powder, firewood, vegetable ghee, shirting, and cigarettes.
Out of 51 essential items tracked in the SPI basket, prices of 18 items increased during the week, while nine items saw a decline. Prices of the remaining 24 items stayed unchanged.
On a yearly basis, the SPI rose by 4.52 percent. Major annual increases were seen in eggs, tomatoes, wheat flour, gas charges, chilli powder, beef, LPG and powdered milk.
In contrast, significant year-on-year price declines were recorded in potatoes, garlic, onions, pulses, tea, chicken, petrol, and diesel.
Across income groups, the SPI declined for most households, especially lower- and middle-income categories. Only households earning above Rs. 44,175 per month saw a slight increase.