Inflation is projected to remain elevated at 9.5 to 10.5 percent in October 2026, the Finance Division has warned in its Monthly Economic Update and Outlook for October 2026. The warning blames persistent geopolitical tensions, recurring conflict in the Gulf region, volatile oil prices, trade disruptions and elevated global inflation. The report notes that headline inflation moderated to 10.3 percent in September from 11.1 percent in August, but that the future path remains sensitive to international energy prices, food supplies and base effects. Brent crude averaged 116.80 dollars a barrel in September, up 28.4 percent from August, while transport prices surged 27.4 percent year-on-year in September and housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel prices rose 12.4 percent. Consumer inflation averaged 10.2 percent in July-September, against 4.3 percent in the same period last year. For households, the message is that price pressure is easing only slowly. The ministry says improved domestic crop supplies could help ease food inflation, but until energy and transport costs cool, monthly budgets are likely to stay tight. Sources: Business Recorder, Dawn. Written in our own words for information only.