Annual inflation was 3.4% in 2020, picking up in the second half of the year after the VAT hike. The first half had seen mild inflation, following a deflationary trend in 2019, when the annual rate was -2.1%.
The consumer price index jumped 0.6pc, the largest gain since August 2012, as increased vaccinations and massive fiscal stimulus unleashed pent-up demand.
Eyes will be on the release of consumer price data this week, after figures Friday showed the producer price index last month came in above forecasts and hit its highest level in almost a decade.
It is the latest indicator to point to robust economic growth in the January-March quarter, after recent data showed Chinese manufacturing activity was strong last month.
Shibli Faraz said the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had tried to create hurdles in the way of the government, which was taking many initiatives for public relief and welfare.