ISLAMABAD: Pakistan received a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Qatar on Monday after a gap of nearly two months, as ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continued to affect global energy shipments and forced adjustments in the country’s fuel supply planning.
Officials said the LNG vessel Al Areesh reached the Pakistan GasPort Terminal on Aug. 10, terminal official confirmed that the cargo had successfully arrived and was berthed at the facility.
The latest shipment marks Pakistan’s return to receiving LNG supplies from Qatar after the previous Qatari cargo arrived on June 22. Energy officials said the country has received seven spot LNG cargoes and six long term contracted cargoes since disruptions in the region began on April 30.
Pakistan has increasingly turned to spot LNG purchases to meet domestic energy needs alongside its long term supply agreements. The timing of these purchases depends on local demand, available supplies and international LNG prices.
The most recent spot LNG shipment before Monday’s arrival was delivered during the July 27 to 28 period at a price of $21.88 per million British thermal units (MMBtu).
According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data, the country’s LNG import cost decreased significantly during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The import bill dropped to $2.221 billion from $3.476 billion in the previous year, showing a decline of about 36%.
Pakistan usually imports between nine and 10 LNG cargoes every month under its long term agreements with Qatar. The country signed its first LNG supply deal with Qatar in 2016 for a period of 15 years. Under that agreement, LNG prices are linked to 13.37% of Brent crude oil prices.
A second LNG agreement was signed in 2021 for 10 years, with pricing connected to 10.2% of Brent crude oil prices. The Strait of Hormuz disruption has created challenges for energy transportation in recent months. The strategic waterway is a major route for global oil and gas shipments, and delays in cargo movement have affected supply plans in several countries.
To manage the situation, Pakistan has adjusted its LNG procurement strategy by relying more on spot market purchases while continuing to receive supplies under existing agreements.
Energy officials said maintaining a steady LNG supply remains important for meeting Pakistan’s electricity and industrial requirements. The arrival of the latest Qatar cargo is expected to support the country’s energy needs as global supply routes continue facing uncertainty.
