Pakistan is facing a rapidly destructive energy crisis as global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies tighten sharply following the war in the Gulf.
The crisis comes as flows of LNG from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates face major interruptions. Pakistan, which depends almost entirely on Gulf LNG, is among the most vulnerable economies affected, reported the Financial Times. The country entered 2026 with an LNG surplus due to low demand but this turned into a problem after Qatar halted production due to war in the region.
Nearly 99 percent of Pakistan’s LNG imports last year came from Qatar. However, recent disruptions have already begun to strain the system, with both of the country’s LNG import terminals significantly reducing operations to a fraction of normal capacity.
One of the terminals is expected to run out of LNG within days if new shipments are not secured. Officials familiar with the situation warn that terminal operations could cease entirely by the end of the month.
Earlier, Islamabad had requested QatarEnergy to redirect 24 cargoes and also sought to reschedule additional shipments from other suppliers, including Eni. Those efforts now appear to have backfired as global conditions tightened dramatically following the Iran war.
Attempts to urgently procure LNG from alternative markets in Europe, the United States, Oman, Azerbaijan, and Africa have so far failed, largely due to prohibitively high prices. Spot LNG prices have surged to around $23 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), doubling since the Gulf war started.
Rising shipping costs and longer transportation routes have further added pressure.
Pakistan may be forced to rely more heavily on furnace oil and other costly fuels to keep power generation running if LNG imports remain constrained.
The energy crisis could persist well beyond the immediate disruption. Pakistan GasPort’s leadership has warned that the country could face a prolonged period of instability, with “a very difficult year followed by two or three difficult years” if supply conditions do not improve soon.
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If Gas is curtailed for Fertilizer plants this crisis could be handled efficiently.
We have enough gas for the rest.
Increase production and deal with gas thiefs with an iron hand.
There is enough HFO as 2 local refineries have applied tonGovt for export! Use it for producing Electricity during crisis.
Problem this writer is high lighting are that of Terminals, think on National level.
Why are we not surprised? Prolonged poor planning and restrictive measures for energy from renewable sources(solar/wind) , in order to support the few money hungry power players, have led us to this. And yet those same power players will not be affected at all. It is just the common person who has to suffer yet again; either by being deprived or by being robbed.
Renegotiate 30 year supply contracts with qatar
What contract? they have already declared Force majeure for existing contracts.
Just enjoy and do nothing like the govt administration been doing for 40 years now… nothing you can do now , these things are planned atleast 10 years ahead
Guess who scrapped iran gas pipeline
Hint : not Iran
Sui supply of gas is specifically supplied to a fertilizer company, my understanding is that if as a measure of emergency this supply be diverted to domestic segments, it will save household all over Pakistan from scarcity of gas.
All of this could’ve been avoided if we hadn’t scrapped the iran gas pipeline
Thanks Lumber 1