Gold and silver prices surged in global and local markets on Saturday.

In the international bullion market, the price of gold per ounce jumped by $100 to reach $5,278.

In the domestic market, the price of gold per tola increased by Rs10,000 to Rs540,562, while the price per 10 grams rose by Rs8,574 to Rs463,444.

Silver prices also recorded an increase, with the rate per tola climbing by Rs388 to Rs9,862. The price of silver per 10 grams rose by Rs333 to Rs8,455.

Read: SPI up 4.2% on flour, power rates

On the other hand, Pakistan’s short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased 4.23% year-on-year in the week ended February 26, 2026, reflecting continued pressure from food staples and energy costs despite recent weekly relief in perishable items.

Official data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed that the annual SPI inflation was driven by sharp increases in wheat flour (29.51%), gas charges for Q1 (29.85%), electricity charges (17.33%), tomatoes (16.83%), powdered milk (10.16%) and bananas (11.73%). Meat prices also remained elevated, with beef up 11.69% and mutton 8.98% compared to the same week of last year.

However, several essential food items remained cheaper than a year earlier, partially offsetting inflationary pressures. Prices of potatoes were down 52.55% YoY, chicken 29.55%, garlic 26.18%, onions 25.71% and eggs 16.22%, indicating a significant correction from last year’s supply shock-driven highs.

Weekly, the SPI fell 0.54% during the week under review, mainly due to steep declines in tomatoes (-29.67%), potatoes (-10.62%), chicken (-9.03%) and onions (-7.44%). Wheat flour, bread and sugar also recorded modest reductions, suggesting easing pressure in the most recent price cycle at the beginning of Ramazan.