Pakistan will not receive liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar until the current war situation ends, Petroleum Division sources said Thursday. QatarGas has informed Pakistan about the temporary halt in LNG supply. Only 2 of 8 scheduled March LNG shipments have arrived so far.
Sources said the remaining six cargoes, originally scheduled for March 7, 11, 12, 16, 20, and 21, will not arrive amid regional hostilities. Authorities added that Pakistan will need to manage existing LNG loads carefully to ensure limited supply continues until mid-to-late March.
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The shortage is expected to affect Pakistan’s industrial sector and other LNG-dependent industries. Officials stressed that while LNG will eventually arrive from Qatar, energy supply disruptions could have short-term economic and operational impacts.
Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal said shipments will come from Qatar but alternative fuel options are available. He noted that responsibility for imports and exports rests with shipping lines, and rising insurance and logistics costs are already affecting trade in the region.
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The minister added that the Gulf is a key trade and energy route, and regional disruptions impact multiple countries dependent on Gulf energy. While some contingencies can mitigate the effects, certain challenges remain beyond Pakistan’s control.