Pakistan has issued its first spot tender for liquefied natural gas since December 2023, as supply disruptions and rising electricity demand push the country back into the international LNG market.
Pakistan LNG Limited is seeking bids for three cargoes of around 140,000 cubic meters each for delivery between late April and mid May at Port Qasim. The tender marks a shift after a long pause in spot purchases.
The move comes as the country faces fuel shortages linked to disruptions in global LNG supply following tensions in the Middle East. Shipping constraints and reduced flows through key routes have affected LNG availability for Pakistan.
Federal Energy Minister Awais Leghari said the tender aims to meet rising power demand and reduce reliance on more expensive fuels such as diesel and furnace oil. He added that there is uncertainty over the timing of future LNG cargoes from Qatar.
The tender follows recent power outages across the country, as lower hydropower generation and LNG supply disruptions exposed gaps in fuel supply during a period of increasing demand.
Pakistan has not received LNG shipments loaded after the escalation of conflict in the region, which disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor. Qatar, Pakistan’s largest LNG supplier, relies on this route for exports. The country supplied the majority of Pakistan’s LNG imports last year, making supply disruptions particularly significant.
Azerbaijan has expressed readiness to supply LNG to Pakistan under an existing agreement signed in 2025, allowing for quicker procurement if requested by Islamabad.
Pakistan had earlier canceled 21 LNG cargoes for 2026 to 2027 under a long term agreement, expecting lower demand due to increased reliance on solar power. However, recent supply disruptions have tested that strategy. Global LNG markets have also tightened, with prices rising sharply. Spot prices climbed to around $16.05 per mmBtu, reflecting a significant increase since late February, though some easing has been observed recently.
