As part of measures that a minister stated would save $6 billion, the Pakistan government has banned the import of non-essential and luxury commodities to help stabilize the country’s rapidly decreasing foreign exchange reserves and soaring import bill.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting made the announcement during a press conference in Islamabad.
Imports of automobiles and cell phones are among the major things that have been prohibited. The following items are included in the whole list:
Read more: Pakistan bans import of over 30 luxury items including cars, smartphones
- Mobile Phones
- Home Appliances
- Fruits and Dry Fruits (except from Afghanistan)
- Crockery
- Private Weapons & Ammunition
- Shoes
- Chandeliers & Lighting (except Energy Savers)
- Headphones & Loudspeakers
- Sauces, Ketchup etc.
- Doors and Window Frames
- Travelling Bags and Suitcases
- Sanitary ware
- Fish & Frozen Fish
- Carpets (except from Afghanistan)
- Preserved Fruits
- Tissue Paper
- Furniture
- Shampoos
- Automobiles
- Confectionary
- Luxury mattresses & sleeping bags
- Jams & Jelly
- Cornflakes
- Bathroom ware / Toiletries
- Heaters / Blowers
- Sunglasses
- Kitchen ware
- Aerated water
- Frozen Meat
- Juices
- Pasta etc.
- Ice cream
- Cigarettes
- Shaving Goods
- Luxury Leather Apparel
- Musical Instruments
- Saloon items like hair dryers etc.
- Chocolates
The government of Pakistan has banned the import and according to the minister, will also assist in reducing the expanding current account deficit. She went on to say that the main goal of these steps is to lessen the country’s reliance on imports and to implement an export-oriented policy to support domestic industry.
The minister stated that the government is working on a plan to encourage local manufacturers and provide job opportunities.
In a tweet, Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif stated that the choice to prohibit the import of luxury commodities will save the government funds. The premier went on to say that the wealthier among us must lead this effort so that the less fortunate among us do not have to carry the burden imposed by the previous administration.
