As the new year dawns, a Pakistani policy expert has made a personal vow that highlights a national crisis. Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, writing on January 1, 2026, has pledged to cut back on chai, cheeni (sugar), and ghee. This resolution goes beyond personal health; it's a stand against everyday comforts that are silently draining Pakistan's economy and the well-being of its people.
The Staggering Cost of Comfort
The figures behind Pakistan's consumption habits are eye-watering. The nation holds the sixth position globally in tea consumption, with each person drinking about 1.5 kilograms annually. This is more than double the rate of its neighbor, India, translating to four or five cups daily in most households, typically laden with milk and sugar.
This sweet tooth extends far beyond tea. Annual per capita sugar consumption exceeds 25 kilograms, with a significant portion going into chai and traditional sweets (mithai), as well as juices, sodas, and bakery items. To satisfy this demand, Pakistan's import bill has exploded. In 2024 alone, total edible oil imports crossed $4 billion, with oils high in saturated fat accounting for nearly $3 billion of that sum.
Economic Drain and Health Crisis
The economic impact of these imports is profound. The $4.6 billion spent on tea and edible oils represents a massive outflow of foreign exchange. To grasp the scale, this amount exceeds 1,100 billion Pakistani rupees. That is nine times the combined federal budget for education and health, and over one hundred times what the government earned from the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Simultaneously, the nation is grappling with a severe public health emergency directly linked to this diet. Pakistan has earned the grim distinction of having the world's highest diabetes rate, at 31.4 per cent. The high intake of sugar and saturated fats from ghee and oils is a major contributing factor to this shocking statistic.
The Hidden Climate and Vulnerability Toll
The crisis has another, less visible dimension: climate change. As climate-triggered disasters increasingly ravage the country, the environmental cost of producing and importing these commodities adds a hidden layer of vulnerability. What was once a symbol of warmth and hospitality has, due to sheer scale and import dependency, transformed into a national economic and health liability.
The call from experts like Sheikh is clear. It is time for Pakistan to confront the facts about its consumption patterns. The need for fixes is urgent, requiring a shift in both public habit and policy to stem the billions flowing out for imports and to address the devastating health consequences fueled by sugar and ghee.
