Pakistan's consumer price index (CPI) rose 11.1 percent year-on-year in June, easing from 11.7 percent in May and coming within the government's forecast range of 11 percent to 12 percent, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday.
Monthly Decline and Core Inflation Trends
On a month-on-month basis, the CPI fell 0.3 percent in June, compared with a 0.5 percent increase in May and a 0.2 percent rise in June last year. Urban inflation rose 11.2 percent year-on-year and declined 0.5 percent month-on-month, while rural inflation increased 10.9 percent year-on-year and was unchanged on the month.
Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, eased to 8.7 percent in urban areas and 7.9 percent in rural areas, indicating some moderation in underlying price pressures.
Government Forecast and Economic Context
The government had projected inflation to be between 11 percent and 12 percent for June, and the actual reading of 11.1 percent falls within that band. The slowdown from May's 11.7 percent suggests that price pressures are gradually easing, though inflation remains elevated compared to historical averages.
The data comes as Pakistan continues to navigate economic challenges, including high energy costs and currency depreciation. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics released the figures on Wednesday, providing a key indicator for policymakers and the central bank.
