ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed satisfaction over the annual decline in Pakistan’s Sensitive Price Index (SPI), which he said had fallen to -3.52% in April 2025, compared to 26.94% in the same month last year.
The SPI measures weekly changes in the prices of essential items such as food, fuel and utilities across various consumption groups. Unlike the broader Consumer Price Index (CPI), which captures overall inflation, the SPI focuses on short-term price movements that affect low- and middle-income households most directly.
“The [SPI] rate stood at 26.94% in the same month last year, whereas in April 2025, it has been recorded at minus 3.52%,” the prime minister said in a statement issued by his office.
“The country’s economic indicators are improving with each passing day,” he added. “The government is making every effort to ensure that the benefits of these improving economic indicators reach the public.”
Sharif also commended his economic team for their efforts in stabilizing the economy and curbing inflation.
In May 2023, Pakistan experienced its highest recorded inflation, with the CPI reaching 38% year-on-year, driven by surging food and energy prices.
The recent decline in the SPI indicates potential relief for consumers, though the government continues to face challenges in managing the economy, including meeting fiscal targets and securing external financing.
Pakistan PM hails negative SPI inflation, says economic indicators improving
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Pakistan PM hails negative SPI inflation, says economic indicators improving
- SPI focuses on short-term price movements that affect low- and middle-income households most directly
- Shehbaz Sharif says the government wants to pass on the benefits of improving economy to the public
Pakistan pitches mineral investment, regulatory easing at Saudi forum
- Ali Pervaiz Malik tells participants Pakistan is simplifying rules to attract investors
- The petroleum minister also invites global firms to April minerals forum in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is easing regulatory bottlenecks and opening its mineral sector to foreign investors, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik told Saudi officials and global industry leaders during meetings held around a major mining conference in Riyadh, according to a government statement on Saturday that provided a roundup of his engagements in the Kingdom.
Malik spearheaded the Pakistan delegation to the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in the Saudi capital, held from January 13 to 15. The event is annually hosted by Saudi Arabia and brings together ministers, mining executives and investors from around the world to discuss global mineral supply chains and investment frameworks.
“The Government of Pakistan is actively reducing systemic friction by simplifying the regulatory environment and harmonizing the mineral sector framework,” the minister told a panel at the forum, according to an official statement, adding that Pakistan “possesses vast and diverse mineral potential, offering significant opportunities for global partnerships.”
On the sidelines of the forum, Malik held bilateral meetings with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih to discuss energy cooperation and investment opportunities, the statement said.
Pakistan also invited global stakeholders to participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum scheduled for April 2026, which Malik described as a platform for investment, collaboration and policy dialogue.
