In a strange development, a Pakistan minister asked the country’s people to drink less chai (tea) due to its economic burden. The appeal came from Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning. “I appeal to the nation to cut down the consumption of tea by 1-2 cups because we import tea on loan,” the Federal Minister of Planning urged Pakistani citizens.

The appeal irked Pakistani citizens who took to Twitter and criticized Mr. Iqbal for his request. It’s safe to say that the appeal to reduce consumption of tea by 1-2 cups truly brewed a social media ‘storm in a teacup’.

It should be noted that Pakistan is world’s biggest importer of tea with imports rising as high as $423.4 million in the July-February (2021-22) period. Prior to that (2020-2021), the figures were as high as $379.3 million, as per the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal also shared that the traders’ community in the country has been asked to close markets as latest as 8.30 PM to conserve more energy. The country is on the brink of a financial emergency, with increase in prices of essentials such as oil, gas and food.

Earlier last week, both the ruling and opposition parties of Pakistan blamed each other for the country’s ongoing economic crisis.

Contents hide
1. The Facts of the Matter
2. Cut Down Tea Consumption
3. Markets To Be Closed by 8.30 PM
4. Netizens Ridicule Appeal By Ahsan Iqbal
5. Ongoing Economic Crisis in Pakistan

The Facts of the Matter

To reduce the stress on an already overburdened economy in the country, a Pakistan minister urged the country’s citizens to drink less chai (tea) to keep the economy surviving. One of the world’s biggest tea importers, Pakistan economy is currently suffocating under increasing inflation and equally rapidly-depreciating currency.

Cut Down Tea Consumption

Earlier on June 14, Ahsan Iqbal, the country’s Federal Minister of Planning and Development, asked its country’s citizens to reduce their tea consumption by one or two cups as the imports are putting more financial stress on the economy.

Markets To Be Closed by 8.30 PM

“I appeal to the nation to cut down the consumption of tea by 1-2 cups because we import tea on loan,” the minister appealed. He also said that the traders’ community in the country has been asked to close the markets by 8.30 PM, as it would save more electricity. Mr. Iqbal said that the move will cut down the country’s bill of petroleum product.

Netizens Ridicule Appeal By Ahsan Iqbal

The appeal outraged many netizens in Pakistan on Twitter. While some ridiculed Mr. Iqbal’s appeal, others simply denied the request. Meanwhile, many hardcore nationalists in India ridiculed Pakistan after the news broke.

Ongoing Economic Crisis in Pakistan

Pakistan is currently witnessing one of its worst economic meltdowns, with exchange reserves dropping to less than $10 billion in June from $16 billion in February. The country currently has reserves only to cover the cost of the next two months of its imports.

In a bid to reduce the stress on the already fragile economy, there was a ban imposed on several non-essential luxury items in May. The ongoing economic meltdown is the ultimate test for the new Shehbaz Sharif government, after Imran Khan was ousted by the parliamentary vote earlier in April.

Meanwhile, according to the United Nationals Development Programme, Pakistan is currently facing a debt win excess of Rs. 50 trillion ($250 billion).

 

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