CASH-strapped Pakistan is urging its citizens to drink less tea in a bid to help the economy.
With a population of 220m, Pakistan is the world’s largest importer of tea buying in more than $600m last year.
Sipping fewer cups a day would cut Pakistan's high import bills, a government minister said.
The country's low foreign currency reserves have left it in urgent need of funds.
Planning minister, Ahsan Iqbal said: "I appeal to the nation to cut down the consumption of tea by one to two cups because we import tea on loan."
Like many other countries Pakistan is facing huge economic challenges with price hikes in oil, gas and food.
The government is now facing increasing pressure to cut import costs.
Market sellers have also been asked to consider closing their premises by 8.30pm in an effort to conserve energy and cut petroleum demands.
The country's foreign currency reserves had dramatically plummeted from $16.3bn at the end of February to $10bn in May, according to Reuters.
The $6bn loss would have been enough to cover two months of imports and many are questioning what impact tea drinking would have on these figures.
The request to reduce tea drinking has gone viral on social media, with many doubting the country's serious financial problems can be addressed by cutting out tea imports.
