Inflation Monitor: Larkana the most expensive city in Pakistan

KARACHI: Larkana has become the most expensive city of the country as highest inflation was observed there during November 2011, the State Bank of Pakistan said in its inflation monitor.

According to the SBP, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation on year-on-year basis in federal and provincial capitals of Pakistan was lower than overall inflation observed during November 2011. However, among 40 cities of the country, Larkana was observed with highest inflation during the fifth month of current fiscal year 2011-12.

Larkana city had observed 15.3 percent inflation, comprising 13.8 percent food and 16.4 percent non-food inflation, during the period under review.

Bahawalnagar was observed with second highest inflation of 13.6 percent with food 12.2 percent and non-food 14.5 percent. Gwadar was on third number with 12.7 percent CPI inflation during November 2011.

Among federal and provincial capitals, Karachi witnessed highest inflation. The inflation in Islamabad and Karachi was 8.8 and 8.9 percent respectively during November 2011. In Karachi, none-food inflation was higher than food inflation and a non-food inflation stood at 9 percent, while food inflation was 8.8 percent. Inflation registered in other provincial capitals, including Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta was about 8.2 percent.

Gujranwala, Dadu, Loralai, and Mithi observed 12.1 percent, 11.7 percent, 11.6 percent and 11.5 percent CPI inflation during last month with fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh positions.

According to SBP's inflation monitor headline CPI inflation on revised base (2007-08 = 100) was recorded at 10.2 percent on year-on-year basis in November 2011 as compared to 11.0 percent in the previous month and 15.0 percent in the corresponding month of last year.

However, CPI inflation on month-on-month basis decreased by 0.3 percent in November 2011 as compared to 1.4 percent in the previous month and 1.0 percent in the corresponding month of last year. Seasonally adjusted month on month CPI inflation comes to 0.8 percent in November 2011 as compared to 1.0 percent in previous month.

Core inflation (trimmed) on year-on-year basis decreased to 11.5 percent in November 2011 as compared to 11.7 percent in the previous month and 12.8 percent in the corresponding month of last year.

On month-on-month basis, the core inflation (trimmed) was 0.5 percent in November 2011 as compared to 1.0 percent in October 2011 and 0.8 percent in November 2010.

Non-food, non-energy inflation, measured by CPI Core (NFNE) on year-on year basis, was recorded at 10.4 percent in November 2011 as compared to 10.5 percent a month earlier and 9.4 percent in November 2010.

Core NFNE inflation on month-on-month basis decreased to 0.6 percent in November 2011 as compared to 1.4 percent a month earlier. Core NFNE was 0.6 percent in November 2010.

State Bank of Pakistan will start operation in Larkana.

LARKANA: May 8, 2009. (Nazir Siyal reports for PCP) State Bank of Pakistan will be opened soon in Larkana and operation camp office would start functioning with all its features and fascilities of currency exchange and export business for the people of Larkana and other districts.

This he discussed and said in a meeting with District Coordination Officer Larkana Mohammed Jaffer Abbasi by the Deputy Governor (DG)) State Bank of Pakistan Imran Shahzad here at DCO office on Friday.State Bank delegation including the Director SBP Qasim Nawaz, Chief Manager SBP Sajid Ali Shah, Munwer Ali, Abdul Hakim and others held meeting for the establishment of camp office of State Bank of Pakistan, which was announced by the Ex-Governor State Bank Shamshad Akhtar during her visit to Larkana.

DCO Lakana on the occasion appreciated the efforts of SBP delegation for the establishment of State Bank camp office, he directed Taluka Municpal Administration to immediately report municipal vacant areas/plots and proposed sites for the State Bank in Larkana.On the occasion DCO Larkana told that various locations including Sachal Colony, CMC VIP road side, Sambara Inn, in front the vacant areas of Central Prison, Old Bus Stand area, opposite Government Boys Degree College Larkana and other locations were identified and discussed the security points and business opportunities.

The State Bank officials said that the people of Larkana are fortunate and opportunity to explore their business all over the world after the opening of the branch.Later, the delegation of State Bank of Pakistan visited the proposed sites in Larkana and reviewed about the security areas and business opportunities.The meeting attended by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry representatives, EDO Larkana Agha, DDO (HR) Ameer Abro, DEO revenue Tariq Khokhar, TMO Larkana and others on the occasion. Whereas, the District Coordination Officer Larkana Mohammed Jaffer Abbasi presided over the gathering of Agriculture Department in connection with the Certificate Distribution ceremony under the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Youth Development program here at Circuit House on Friday.DCO Larkana said that young people should utilize their capacity after the technical training in the Farming and machinery.
He said the skill development will open their doors of Job opportunities in the market, so they should utilize their services and create an environment of skill development among all others.DCO Larkana distributed 92 completion certificates of Mechanical Trainings, Farming, nursery and other fields among the youths.

The event was attended by EDO Agriculture Tharoo Mal, DO, Agricultural, DDO forest and several youths on the occasion.Meanwhile, Larkana Blood Bank and Thalassaemia (LBBT) center working under the umbrella of The Blessing Foundation (TBF) in Sukkur and Larkana, has appealed the common men to come forward and voluntarily to donate blood for the thaelaesmic patients. This was said in a press statement issued by the organization here on the eve of International Thaelessmia day.The organization is providing services in the field of Blood transfusion related diseases including Thalaessemia, Hemophilia and Leukemia and other aspects. The LBB/TBF has served 1300 blood pints to the poor patients of interior Sindh. Larkana Blood Bank and Thalassaemia arrange weekly/monthly blood donation camps at different locations of district for collecting fresh blood to save the lives of Thallasaemic patients. Qurat-ul-Ain the project coordinator and administrator of the LBB/TBF told that the organization providing free of cost monthly blood to all Thaelassemic patients on priority basis as per to the requirement and need basis.

She said about 300 Thalassaemic patients are registered, while 24 hour emergency screening of blood with cross matching and other vaccination, tests including HIV/AIDS, HBV, HCV, Malarial Parasite, Blood related Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) with Blood transfusion services provided to the patients of Larkana, Qamber– Shahdad kot, Jacobabad, Dadu and other concerned districts as well as other parts of Balochistan she told.She has appealed to the people to come forward to help needy people; they are suffering from various illnesses, support the institution and take part in the blood donation voluntary services.She urged the people of civil society, business community, traders, philanthropists and the citizens for the blood donations for thaelesmia patients to promote healthy environment in Larkana district.