With Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves dwindling, the country has urged its countrymen to reduce drinking tea to reduce the import bill eating away at the country’s reserves.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal made the appeal after it was reported that Pakistan consumed tea worth Rs 83.88 billion ($400 million) in fiscal year 2021-22, the News International reported.
He claimed that Pakistan, as one of the world’s largest tea importers, has to borrow money to do so.
Mr. Iqbal told reporters in Islamabad on Tuesday, “I appeal to the nation to cut down on tea consumption by 1-2 cups because we import tea on loan.”
According to the government budget paper for the previous fiscal year, Pakistan imported Rs 13 billion ($60 million) more tea than the previous fiscal year.
According to the News Network International news agency, Pakistani Rs 70.82 billion ($340 million) was spent on tea imports in fiscal year 2020-21.
Mr. Iqbal claims that this will assist the country reduce its petroleum import expense.
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail recently cautioned that if severe decisions are not made, Pakistan’s economy could end up in the same situation as Sri Lanka’s.
