The SPI for income groups ranging from Rs.8000 to Rs.18,000 witnessed positive growth while that of for the income groups from 18001 to above 35,000 witnessed decreased, according to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The weekly SPI has been computed with base 2007-2008=100, covering 17 urban centers and 53 essential items for all income groups and combined.

The SPI for the lowest income group up to Rs 8,000, registered increase of 0.64 per cent as it increased from 177.12 points last week to 177.43 points during the week under review.

Similarly, the SPI for the income groups from Rs.8001-12,000 and 12,001- 18,000 witnessed nominal increase of 0.11 percent and 0.03 percent respectively.

On the other hand, the SPI for the combined group decreased by 0.24 percent as it went down from 188.54 points in the previous week to 188.09 points in the week under review.

However, as compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined group in the week under review witnessed increase of 12.25 percent. As compared to the last week, the SPI for the income groups from 18001-35,000 and above Rs.35,000 decreased by 0.15 percent and 0.56 percent respectively.

During the week under review average prices of 9 items registered decrease, while that of 16 items increase with the remaining 28 items' prices unchanged.

The items which recorded decrease in their average prices during the week under review included petrol, diesel, kerosene oil, gram pulse (washed), moong pulse (washed), mash pulse (washed), sugar, vegetable ghee (loose) and red chillies (powder).

The items which registered increase in their prices included tomatoes, potatoes, milk (powdered), bananas, chicken live (farm), garlic, LPG(11 kg cylender), cooking oil (tin), egg hen (farm), onions, vegetable ghee (tin), gur, lawn, mustard oil, wheat, rice and basmati (broken).

The items with no change in their average prices during the week under review included wheat flour (bag), rice (irri-6), bread (plain), beef, mutton, milk (fresh), curd, masoor (pulse), salt (powdered), tea (packet), cooked beef, cooked dal, tea (prepared), cigarettes, long cloth, shirting, georgette, sandal (gents), chappal (gents), sandal (ladies), electric charges, gas charges (upto 100m3), firewood, energy savor, washing soap, match box, telephone local call and bath soap.