Petrol and diesel prices have jumped more than 26% since the start of the fiscal year, and the cost of 51 everyday essentials has climbed 5.81% since July—tightening the squeeze on salaried workers, pensioners, and low-income households.
Lahore: The rise in prices of petroleum products, the high cost of food items, and increasing transportation expenses have compounded the economic hardships faced by the common man in the country.
During the first four months—approximately—of the new fiscal year 2026-27, the price of petrol saw an increase of 26.11%, while the price of high-speed diesel rose by 26.39%.
Meanwhile, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ weekly Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), the aggregate price index for 51 essential commodities increased by approximately 5.81% between July 2 and October 22.
Due to mounting inflation, it is becoming increasingly difficult for salaried individuals, daily-wage laborers, pensioners, and low-income families to cover their household expenses. The hike in the prices of petroleum products has also exerted upward pressure on costs related to passenger transport, freight services, and the transportation of agricultural produce.
💡 Key point
Data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics shows that at the start of the new fiscal year—on July 2—the Sensitive Price Indicator stood at 354.24 points; by October 22, it had risen to 374.84 points. That is an increase of 20.60 points in the aggregate index for essential commodities over roughly four months.
In the week ending October 22, the inflation rate rose by an additional 0.65%, while inflation remained 11.85% higher compared to the corresponding week of the previous year. Out of 51 essential items under review, the prices of 19 increased, 12 decreased, and 20 remained stable.
During the week ending October 22, the price of LPG rose by 22.44%, chicken by 12.20%, onions by 4.19%, and flour by 1%. However, the price increases were not uniform across all food items; in fact, the prices of certain vegetables, pulses, and eggs actually declined.
For households and small firms alike, the pressure is hard to escape. Rising costs weigh on small business growth just as they do on family budgets, and many entrepreneurs are leaning on smarter promotion to stay afloat—an area where marketing’s role in business growth becomes especially clear. With commuting and office costs climbing, some professionals are also asking whether marketing jobs can be done remotely—a question that feels more urgent when every rupee counts.
