Pakistan, April 5 -- Prices are rising again and this time the pressure is coming fast. Short-term inflation, measured by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, has increased by 9.12 per cent compared to last year. The main reason behind this rise is the sharp increase in fuel prices. Petrol and diesel have become more expensive due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

When fuel prices go up, everything else follows. Transport becomes costly, and this pushes up the prices of vegetables, meat, and other essential items. This is now the 34th straight week of rising prices. For many households, it means cutting down on food, delaying payments, or borrowing money just to survive.

Items like LPG, eggs, chicken, pulses, and milk have all becom...