The federal health ministry has recommended a 50% increase in the federal excise duty on sugary drinks in the upcoming budget.

The ministry has claimed that the increase in FDE on carbonated drinks, energy drinks, juices and squashes will led to an additional revenue of Rs2.5 billion annually.

The ministry has also claimed that it has based its recommendations on a national survey in which majority of respondents in the youth segment supported higher taxes on sugary drinks.

The summary recommending the tax increase has already been sent to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

Reports said that soft drinks are responsible for 58% of all non-communicable diseases in the country.

The minsitry has also offered to provide technical support to the ministry of finance in the implementation of the higher tax.