Pakistan, July 18 -- Petroleum price hikes hit consumer pockets this week. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported a 0.38% rise in the weekly Sensitive Price Index (SPI), pushing the annual inflation rate to -1.61%, despite still being negative.

According to the report, 22 essential goods became costlier, while 9 saw price drops, and 20 remained stable. Notably, diesel prices surged 4.15% and petrol rose 2% in just one week-major contributors to the inflation jump.

Food prices also climbed: chicken up 8.31%, eggs rose 5.87%, onions increased 1.76%, potatoes by 1.46%, and garlic by 1.70%. Meanwhile, tomatoes, flour, cooking oil, sugar, and LPG prices eased slightly, offering some relief to households.

Analysts warn that inflati...