Inflation soars to 4.17 percent in April

The headline inflation in the month of April has soared to 4.17 percent following an increase in the prices of food and non food items, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). According to Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by PBS, cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 3.46 percent in the month of April as compared to the same month of last fiscal year while cost of non-perishable food items increased by 3.54 percent and cost of perishable food items by 2.98 percent.
The cost of beverages and tobacco increased by 29.05 percent, cost of clothing and footwear by 4.93 percent, housing water, electricity cost, gas and other fuels increased by 5.26 percent, stated official monthly inflation data. The cost of furnishing and household equipment maintenance was up by 4.28 percent and health 5.10 percent, communication by 0.37 percent, recreation and culture by 1.53 percent, cost of education increased by 5.89 percent, restaurant and hotel by 5.71 percent and miscellaneous goods and services by 4 percent. However, cost of transport decreased by 4.17 percent in April 2016 as compared to April 2015.
The price of pulse gram increased by 59.94 percent in April 2016 over April 2015, price of pulse mash 56.19 percent, basen 51.73 percent, gram whole 31.68 percent cigarettes 29.24 percent, chicken 17.12 percent, betel leaves and nuts 14.1 percent, Tea (13.4 percent, sugar 0.38 percent and pulse masoor 8.76 percent.
However the price of rice decreased by 12.75 percent in April 2016 over April 2015, onion 10.54 percent, cooking oil 10.09 percent, eggs 10.01 percent, and price of vegetable ghee decreased by 4.29. The cost of non-food gas increased by 9.92 percent in April 2016 over April 2015, tailoring 8.39 percent, household servants 7.8 percent, construction wage rates 7.66 percent, doctor (MBBS) clinic fee 7.64 percent, water supply 7.46 percent, readymade garments 6.44 percent and cleaning & laundry 6.16 percent.
The inflation in April 2016 over previous month increased by 1.55 percent and average rate in July-April 2015-16 over July-April 2014-15 increased by 2.79 percent. The cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 0.98 percent during July-April 2015-16 over July-April 2014-15, non-perishable food items 1.61 percent, alcoholic beverages and tobacco 21.72 percent, clothing and footwear 4.83 percent, housing, water, electricity, gas fuels cost increased by 5.10 followed by furnishing and household equipment maintenance 4.06 percent, health 3.39 percent etc.