Pakistan bans imports of all non-essential luxury goods

Luxurious cosmetics have been included within the import ban checklist

KARACHI: Pakistan has banned the import of all non-essential luxurious items in a bid to stabilize the economic system, the knowledge minister mentioned on Thursday, describing the scenario as an financial emergency.
Pakistan's present account deficit has spiralled uncontrolled and its international change reserves have tumbled whereas the Pakistani rupee has plummeted to historic lows towards the US greenback.
“All these non-essential luxurious objects that aren't utilized by the broader public, an entire ban has been imposed on their import,” minister Marriyum Aurangzeb advised reporters.
She mentioned the measures are to handle fiscal instability, which she blamed on the earlier authorities of Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote final month over prices of mishandling the nation's economic system.
“There's an emergency scenario within the nation,” she mentioned.
Amongst a bunch of imports to be banned are vehicles, mobile mobiles, dwelling home equipment and cosmetics.
It was not instantly clear how lengthy the ban can be in place, however Aurangzeb mentioned that together with different fiscal measures it will assist save vital international change reserves for the following two months. She mentioned the steps would save $6 billion yearly.
Pakistan's main imports are gasoline and edible oil and pulses, which can stay unaffected.
Some projections see Pakistan's present account deficit this monetary 12 months hitting round $17 billion or over 4.5% of GDP with a swelling import invoice and spiking international commodity costs.
Pakistan's international foreign money reserves have declined quickly: funds held by the central financial institution fell $6 billion from $16.3 billion on the finish of February to only above $10 billion in Might.
Pakistan's finance workforce is in talks with the Worldwide Financial Fund within the Qatari capital Doha to restart a funding programme it started in 2019 however which has stalled over Pakistan's implementation of coverage actions required to obtain funds.