RAWALPINDI: The price of a cup of tea in several cafeterias, kiosks and restaurants in the garrison city has been increased, as tea sellers claim that they have to do so due to the high cost of sugar and gas.

A cup of tea now costs Rs50 in many kiosks of the city. Price lists for tea, special tea, kahwa and other food items have also been printed for the customers.

In October, 2021 the cost of a cup of tea was increased from Rs30 to Rs40 due to the continuous rise in the price of loose tea, tea bags, milk, sugar and gas.

“Tea sellers should be allowed to increase the price of a cup of tea because its ingredients have become expensive,” said Abdul Aziz, a tea seller.

He said the price of milk had risen from Rs120 to Rs160 per litre, loose tea was available for Rs1,100 compared to its earlier price of Rs900 while a gas cylinder costs Rs3,000.

Mr Aziz said he could no longer make ends meet while selling a cup of tea for Rs40.

“In a single day, my total sale was Rs3,000 but when I calculated the profit, it came to only Rs50,” he said, adding that the purpose of a business was to earn profit, therefore, tea sellers had no choice but to increase the price of a cup of tea.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2022