Pakistan October Inflation Rate Drops to 9.6 Percent
Pakistan's annual inflation rate fell to 9.6% in October, though food and transport costs continued to drive monthly price increases.
Annual inflation in Pakistan eased to 9.61% in October 2026, down from 10.3% in September. Data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics shows urban inflation at 9.5% and rural inflation at 9.8%. These figures align with the Ministry of Finance's projected range of 9.5% to 10.5% for the month.
Despite the annual decline, month-on-month inflation rose by approximately 1.1%. This increase was primarily driven by a 2.26% surge in food prices, with significant spikes in the cost of wheat, lentils, and chicken. These gains were partially offset by price drops for sugar, onions, and tomatoes. Transport costs and fuel prices also continued to climb, while electricity tariffs decreased by 3.31%.
The broader economic trend shows a significant year-over-year increase in price volatility. Average inflation for the first four months of the 2027 fiscal year reached 10.05%, a sharp rise compared to the 4.79% recorded during the same period in the previous year.
