A minister in Pakistan’s newly elected government is facing criticism following his plea to the nation to drink less tea to help save on imports amid a deepening economic crisis.
Pakistan is among the world’s top tea importers, a hugely popular drink among both the rich and the poor in this country of 220 million people.
The government spends about $600m from the central bank’s hard currency reserves for tea imports annually.
A Pakistani is believed to drink at least three cups of tea a day on average, the nation’s caffeinated drink of choice.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who took over in April after Imran Khan was removed in a no-confidence vote in parliament, has pledged to improve the ailing economy and meet conditions set by the International Monetary Fund in an effort to revive a $6bn bailout package. Still, planning minister Ahsan Iqbal’s appeal to drink less tea has surprised many.
Credit: rfi
