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ISLAMABAD, September 4, 2026: Pakistan\u2019s inflation rate increased by a further 0.65 percent during the past week, according to the latest weekly inflation report released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, ARY News reported.<\/strong><\/p>\n The report said the overall annual inflation rate has reached 8.35 percent.<\/p>\n Prices of 17 essential items increased during the week, while prices of seven items declined.<\/p>\n Among the items that became more expensive, onions recorded the highest increase of 26.30 percent, followed by tomatoes at 2.55 percent. Chicken prices rose by 0.85 percent, while mash pulse became 0.67 percent more expensive and garlic prices increased by 0.18 percent.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, banana prices declined by 2.54 percent, while moong pulse became cheaper by 0.69 percent. Sugar prices fell by 0.18 percent, eggs by 0.11 percent and LPG by 0.45 percent.<\/p>\n According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, prices of 27 items remained stable during the latest week.<\/p>\n On June 17, 2026, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb expressed optimism about Pakistan\u2019s economic outlook, stating that a sustained US-Iran peace agreement and lower global oil prices could help reduce inflation and support stronger economic growth in the coming fiscal year.<\/p>\n Speaking in ARY News program Khabar, Muhammad Aurangzeb said the Pakistan government had successfully managed the immediate economic consequences of the recent regional conflict, ensuring that there were no fuel shortages, supply disruptions, long queues or significant law-and-order issues.<\/p>\n The minister noted that earlier this year, economic institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and the State Bank of Pakistan, had expected the economy to grow between 3.75 and 4.75 per cent during the current fiscal year. However, prolonged regional tensions over recent months had adversely affected economic activity, resulting in growth slowing to approximately 3.7 per cent.<\/p>\n Muhammad Aurangzeb said inflation had also been affected by rising imported costs, particularly during March and April, when price pressures increased and inflation briefly returned to double-digit levels. These developments contributed to the State Bank\u2019s decision to maintain a relatively high policy rate, which currently stands at 11.5 per cent.<\/p>\n Looking ahead, the finance minister said the government\u2019s economic projections for the next fiscal year\u2014including a growth target of 4 per cent and an inflation target of 8.2 per cent\u2014had been formulated while taking into account the potential economic risks arising from continued conflict.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n