Pakistan is currently grappling with a significant electricity shortfall of 3,400 megawatts, which has doubled this week due to a staggering 48% decrease in hydropower output compared to the same time last year. Power Minister Awais Leghari attributed this decline to provinces not requesting water releases from dams, as recent rains have reduced irrigation needs. Consequently, parts of northern Pakistan are experiencing power outages lasting 6 to 7 hours. The situation has been worsened by disruptions in liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies due to the ongoing Iran war, which Pakistan initially expected to have a minimal impact. However, the unexpected drop in hydropower output has led to excessive load shedding. Leghari indicated that while Pakistan has sufficient crude reserves to produce fuel oil, the country is not planning to purchase LNG on the spot market due to high prices, which could add an additional $4-$5 to costs. He remains hopeful that hydropower supply will improve as provinces begin to draw water for the upcoming monsoon crop planting.