Pakistan Seeks LNG Supplies as Qatar Extends Delivery Suspension

Pakistan is seeking additional liquefied natural gas supplies ahead of winter after QatarEnergy extended its delivery suspension until November 5. The country imports LNG to supplement domestic production, supplying homes, factories, power stations, and fertilizer plants. Imported LNG accounted for about one-fifth of gas consumption in July 2025, March 2026.

The US-Iran war has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage connecting the Gulf to the open sea through which almost 20 percent of global LNG trade passed in 2025. QatarEnergy halted production and declared force majeure in March following attacks on its facilities.

A Pakistani official involved in LNG procurement expressed hope for two Qatari shipments in October, but received no assurance. The country normally receives around nine cargoes a month from Qatar under long-term agreements. State-owned Pakistan State Oil reported importing 109 LNG cargoes in the financial year ending June 2025.

The official estimated Pakistan would need three or four cargoes in November, seven or eight in December, and 10 or 11 in January as colder weather increases gas use. The government did not specify which consumers would receive priority if supplies fell short.