The photos and videos have now outraged the internet
Tim Hortons, the iconic Canadian coffee brand, opened its first store in Pakistan’s Lahore on February 10 and witnessed a record number of visitors. Photos and videos circulating the internet show long queues of people waiting to get their coffee. Some websites even claimed that Tim Hortons broke the world record for the highest sales in its 61-year history with the opening of Pakistan’s first branch in Lahore.
The photos and videos have now enraged the internet as several Pakistanis expressed their anger that the country’s elite have no qualms about buying overpriced coffee when the country is going through an economic crisis. Many were also critical of the high prices of the products on offer, calling for people to wait in line for hours. A small cup of Tim Hortons costs Rs 350-Rs 600 while a large one ranges from Rs 450 to Rs 800 depending on the flavour.
Tim Hortons 🇨🇦🍁 opened their first store in Lahore today. The small coffee ☕️ cup will cost you Rs. 650 ($2.40) and watch the lines outside the store.
Yet we say there is no money and we beg the world to give us money. Shame on the incompetent government and its establishment.
Such a pity pic.twitter.com/LlF3EIYvcJ— Sajid Butt (Retd) Lieutenant Colonel (@SajidSa33306790) February 12, 2023
One user shared a photo of a queue and wrote, “While first day sales of Tim Hortons in Pakistan break the record for most sales in the world, the world must laugh at us, we are on the brink of bankruptcy. our people are dying of hunger, but let’s enjoy an overpriced cup of regular coffee.”
As the first day sales of Tim Hortons in Pakistan break the record for the most sales in the world, the world must laugh at us, we are about to go bankrupt, our people are starving, but let’s enjoy of an overpriced cup of coffee with ordinary taste pic.twitter.com/Cs2tgwy7w2
— Ayeshay (@champagne_lassi) February 12, 2023
Long queues, full hall, no space in the parking lot, almost chaotic. Tim Hortons at 9am in Lahore on the first day.
Kithy aey Mahngae? pic.twitter.com/NoLK3HMVoe— Tehseen Bajwa (@TBajwa7) February 11, 2023
People also frowned on the ‘two sides of Pakistan’.
Two sides of Pakistan 🥺 pic.twitter.com/VPwlzP4rIN
— Aay Eye (@Aakefah) February 11, 2023
How to earn your money pic.twitter.com/bFein0RcjF
— ZAHID (@ZahidNabiGill) February 11, 2023
Another user shared two photos to highlight economic inequality in the country, where inflation is at an all-time high. While one picture showed long lines at flour stores, another showed lines outside Tim Hortons.
Two sides of Pakistan
Tim Horton’s Flour pic.twitter.com/5ZeDpsOzi9— Kinza Hashim💙 (@Iamkinza44) February 12, 2023
More than 60% of Pakistan’s population lives below the poverty line, with the rest breaking Tim Hortons’ 61-year sales record. pic.twitter.com/5ApccTa126
— Zohaib Khattak (@zohaibofficialk) February 13, 2023
Actor Farhan Saeed wrote in his tweet, “There are 2 types of Pakistan, one queuing for flour and ghee at utility stores and the other queuing at Tim Hortons.”
A third user emphasized the same, talking about the country’s extreme wealth and poverty. He wrote: ‘Tim Horton’s lines do not prove that Pakistan is doing well, that inflation is over the top and that Pakistanis have money; it means that income inequality in Pakistan is insane. The elite are getting richer while the masses are suffering.
A fourth said: ‘If the country is in urgent need of foreign exchange. We are celebrating Imported Coffee.” Yet another added: “More than 60% of Pakistan’s population live below the poverty line, while the rest have broken Tim Hortons’ 61-year sales record.”
However, some also said that the opening of the new branch is great for the economy, and that there’s nothing wrong with people celebrating and spending their money the way they want.
So now people have issues with other people going to Tim Hortons to eat and enjoy? Busker dooo. Tmharey says paisey ley ker jaa rahey hain??
— Sarim Rashid (@sarimrashid) February 11, 2023
Pakistan in particular is facing an unprecedented economic crisis as the country’s rupee hit an all-time low of 275 against the US dollar, while inflation rose to over 27 percent. The $350 billion economy is still reeling from devastating floods last year, and the government estimates that reconstruction efforts will cost $16 billion.
Last week, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif called Pakistan’s economic situation “unimaginable”.
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