Pakistani citizens told to drink fewer cups of tea to help economy

People in Pakistan have been asked to reduce their tea consumption to help the country's struggling economy.

Drinking fewer cups of tea will reduce the financial strain that tea imports are putting on the government, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said. 

"I appeal to the nation to reduce tea intake by one or two cups daily because we borrow money for tea import as well," Iqbal said while addressing the media.

The country is amongst the world's largest importer of tea, reportedly consuming tea worth ₹ 83.88 billion ($400 million) in the fiscal year 2021-22.

According to the federal budget for the outgoing fiscal year, Pakistan imported ₹ 13 billion ($60 million) worth of more tea than the last fiscal year.

It comes as officials in Karachi restricted the import of dozens of non-essential luxury items last month.

The minister's appeal, however, has met with criticism on Twitter, with many questioning if that's enough to revive the economy.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who took over after forcing Imran Khan out of office in a no-confidence vote, has blamed him of economic mismanagement and mishandling of the country's foreign policy.