Hot season is feared in Pakistan. Cricket fans urged to stay at home

Just over a week after the start of the Iran war,Pakistan was already introducing austerity measures, such as closing shops and restaurants early, cutting spending and encouraging civil servants to work from home. Prices at the pump skyrocketed and even the Pakistan Super League -its most important tournament- urged fans to stay home.

Since then, the situation has only worsened.

The main source of distress is quite simple: theshortage of liquefied natural gas, an essential fuel for power plants that the country usually takes from Qatar, the world's second largest exporter.

The crisis could not come at a worse time for Pakistan, just asthe heat rises ahead of the monsoon season, increasing the use of air conditioning and the demand for energy.