Highest Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation has been observed in Mithi (Sindh) during March 2018. According to the State Bank of Pakistan''s (SBP), Inflation Monitor for March 2018, among 40 leading cities of the country, some 15 cities have been declared as high inflation cities, while 25 cities low inflation cities during the last month.
Mithi, a small city of Sindh, has posted highest some 10.6 percent general inflation year-on-year basis. This includes 8.0 percent food and 12.2 percent non-food inflation during last month. While three cities witnessed negative CPI inflation in March 2018. Gujranwala, Wazirabad and Muzaffargarh posted -0.1 percent, -0.4 percent and -0.4 percent CPI inflation respectively.
CPI Inflation on year-on-year basis in federal and provincial capitals of Pakistan showed mixed trend during March 2018. Among these five cities, the lowest inflation was observed in Karachi at 1.9 percent while the highest inflation was observed in Islamabad at 3.8 percent. Among Capitals, the CPI inflation in Lahore and Quetta was 3.7 percent and some 2.6 percent in Peshawar.
According to SBP inflation monitor, out of 40 leading cities, Faisalabad is the second highest inflated city as it has observed 6.4 percent CPI inflation with 2.4 percent food and 9 percent non-food in March this year. Headline CPI inflation is recorded at level of 3.2 percent on year-on-year basis in March 2018 as compared to 3.8 percent in the previous month and 4.9 percent during corresponding month of last year.
CPI inflation on month-on-month basis is recorded at level of 0.3 percent in March 2018 as compared to -0.3 percent in the previous month and 0.8 percent during corresponding month of last year. Seasonally adjusted month-on-month CPI inflation is recorded at 0.20 percent in March 2018 compared to 0.26 percent in the previous month. Core inflation (trimmed) on year-on-year basis is recorded at 4.1 percent in March 2018 as compared to 4.3 percent in the previous month and 4.5 percent during corresponding month of last year.