• 'Cutting Chai': Pakistan, the World’s Largest Tea Importer, Asks People to Cut Down Consumption

    International
    'Cutting Chai': Pakistan, the World’s Largest Tea Importer, Asks People to Cut Down Consumption
    According to Pakistani media, Iqbal stated. "I implore the people to reduce their tea intake by one to two cups because we import tea on loan."

    Digital Desk:
    Pakistan, which is in the midst of an
    economic crisis, has urged its citizens to cut back on their tea intake. Ahsan
    Iqbal, Pakistan's Minister of Planning and Development, has advised people to
    drink less tea, claiming that this will help the government cut import costs.
    By taking out loans, the Pakistani government will assist in lowering tea
    import costs. Pakistan's government is borrowing money to import tea and wants
    the cost of doing so to be decreased.

    According to the Observatory of
    Economic Complexity, the 220 million-strong South Asian nation will be the
    world's largest tea importer in 2020, spending more than $640 million on the
    beverage.

    The minister has called to the country's traders and
    citizens to assist in bringing the country out of its predicament. He informed
    traders that the country is experiencing a power outage and that the market
    should be closed till 8:30 p.m.

    According to Pakistani media, Iqbal stated. "I
    implore the people to reduce their tea intake by one to two cups because we
    import tea on loan."

    Pakistan's government prohibited the
    import of 41 products for two months last month in order to cut import costs,
    but the move had little effect. The import bill has been cut by only 600
    million dollars as a result of the import prohibition. This amounts to 5% of overall
    import expenditures.

    Cars, mobile phones, cosmetics, cigarettes, food
    products, some apparel, and toiletries have all been affected by the
    government's decision.

    In a press conference, Iqbal accused Pakistan's former
    government of damaging the economy. He claimed that former Prime Minister Imran
    Khan and his party wrecked the economy of Pakistan and that he condoned their
    crime by claiming that our administration was trapped after taking office.

    The minister for Shahbaz Sharif stated
    that he came to power to save the country. He expressed optimism that the
    economy would improve in the next months.

    Iqbal also stated that the agriculture sector is receiving
    special attention, and that farmers are being pushed to increase wheat, sugar,
    and cotton production. Farmers are also being asked to increase palm oil
    production so that the country can earn foreign cash from its sale, he said.