ISLAMABAD — Pakistan may run out of liquefied natural gas (LNG) after April 14 due to supply disruptions linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East, officials informed the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum on Monday.
Read More: Pakistan won’t receive LNG from Qatar amid war
The meeting, chaired by Senator Manzoor Ahmed, was told that LNG imports from Qatar have remained suspended since March 2, raising concerns about gas availability for electricity generation in the coming weeks. Pakistan relies heavily on LNG shipments from Qatar, the world’s second-largest LNG exporter, to meet peak power demand.
سینیٹر منظور احمد کی زیرِ صدارت سینیٹ کی قائمہ کمیٹی پیٹرولیم کا اجلاس ہوا جس میں حکام نے بتایا کہ ملک میں 14 اپریل کے بعد ایل این جی دستیاب نہیں ہو گی۔
حکام نے کہا کہ اس سال کے لیے ہم نے 2 کارگو فی ماہ مؤخر کروا دیے تھے، قطر سے 2 مارچ سے ایل این جی سپلائی مکمل طور پر بند ہو گئی… pic.twitter.com/osNMrtmfWX— South Today Official (@southtodaylive) March 16, 2026
Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum said Pakistan has two LNG supply agreements with Qatar, but shipments have been disrupted due to the ongoing regional conflict. Of the eight LNG cargoes scheduled for March, only two arrived, while six cargoes expected in April are unlikely to reach the country. As a result, LNG may not be available after April 14, creating challenges for the power sector.
To bridge the expected shortfall, the government is considering alternative supplies, including spot purchases from Azerbaijan. However, these purchases could cost around $24 per unit compared with approximately $9 under the Qatari contract, potentially leading to more expensive electricity generation.
The committee was also informed that Sui Southern Gas Company had reduced gas supply by 50 percent to one fertiliser plant, while supply to the power sector had dropped from 300 mmcfd to 130 mmcfd. Authorities assured lawmakers that domestic consumers would continue to receive gas.
Read More: Domestic power sources cushion LNG supply risk, says Leghari
Secretary Petroleum Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Ahmad noted that the Middle East conflict has also disrupted petroleum shipments, as about 70 percent of Pakistan’s oil imports originate from the region. Rising global prices have pushed diesel from $88 to $187 per barrel and petrol from $74 to $130 per barrel.
Despite the challenges, officials said petroleum imports are continuing and the government is monitoring the supply situation daily to ensure nationwide availability.