Pakistan Receives Long-Term LNG Cargo from Qatar After Strait of Hormuz Disruption

Pakistan has received a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Qatar after the vessel was forced to turn back from the Strait of Hormuz on July 31 due to heightened tensions in the Gulf. The LNG carrier Al Areesh berthed at the Pakistan GasPort Limited terminal, delivering 141,550 cubic metres of LNG under the government-to-government agreement with Qatar.

The cargo is priced at 13.37 per cent of Brent, making it significantly cheaper than LNG available in the spot market, which has risen above $21.12 per MMBtu and could exceed $23 per MMBtu if Pakistan seeks additional cargoes from the international market.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, and officials of the National Crisis Management Cell remained involved in efforts to ensure the safe passage of the already-loaded LNG cargo through the Strait of Hormuz. The arrival is particularly important for Pakistan following QatarEnergy's declaration of force majeure on March 4, 2026.