Reduce tea consumption: Pakistani government
The Pakistani government has asked the Pakistani people to reduce their consumption of tea and milk tea. Pakistan is currently reeling from a severe economic crisis and its foreign exchange reserves are rapidly declining. Due to this the government has had to cut import expenditure.
Pakistan is considered to be the largest importer of tea in the world. In 2021 alone, the Pakistani government spent more than $ 600 million to buy tea, according to media reports.
The Pakistani government has further stated that foreign reserves are only enough to order goods for two months and that it will use those foreign reserves to purchase only essential goods.
In the face of the economic crisis, Pakistan is facing food, drug and fuel shortages, and their rising prices are making people uneasy.
Ashan Iqbal, a senior Pakistani minister, has told the government that limiting the number of cups of tea a day can reduce import bills.
“Reluctantly, I have to reduce the number of cups of tea I drink per day to appeal to the public. That’s because we buy tea on credit. ” Minister Ashan Iqbal further stated at a press conference. Pakistan is currently facing a power crisis, with more than eight hours of power cuts in major cities and provinces and 12 hours in other provinces.
(Reuters)
