Pakistan has received a long-term Qatar LNG cargo after the vessel carrying the shipment was forced to turn back from the Strait of Hormuz on July 31 amid heightened tensions in the Gulf.
The LNG carrier Al Areesh arrived at the Pakistan GasPort Limited terminal on Monday at around 11:30 a.m., carrying approximately 141,550 cubic meters of LNG, according to a senior government official.
The shipment was delivered under Pakistan’s government-to-government LNG agreement with Qatar and provides relief amid disruptions to the country’s long-term gas supplies.
Qatar LNG Cargo Arrives in Pakistan
Officials said the latest cargo is priced at 13.37 percent of Brent, making it considerably cheaper than LNG available through the spot market.
Spot LNG prices have currently climbed above $21.12 per MMBtu and could rise beyond $23 per MMBtu if Pakistan is forced to purchase additional LNG cargoes from the international market.
The lower price of the Qatar shipment is therefore particularly important for Pakistan as the country continues to manage higher energy costs and supply uncertainties.
Efforts to Secure LNG Shipment
Senior government officials said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and officials from the National Crisis Management Cell were involved in efforts to ensure the safe passage of the LNG vessel through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway has faced heightened security concerns, creating difficulties for energy shipments moving between the Gulf and international markets.
The LNG carrier had previously been forced to turn back on July 31 because of the tense situation around the waterway.
Its eventual arrival provides temporary relief to Pakistan’s energy supply system and helps reduce the need for expensive spot-market purchases.
QatarEnergy Supply Disruption
The arrival comes at an important time for Pakistan’s LNG sector.
QatarEnergy declared force majeure on March 4 after an attack on its Ras Laffan LNG production facilities on March 2. The disruption affected Pakistan’s long-term LNG deliveries and was later extended until August.
Officials said Pakistan could resume regular LNG deliveries under its long-term agreement with QatarEnergy if shipping conditions through the Strait of Hormuz return to normal.
The latest shipment is therefore being viewed as an important development for Pakistan’s LNG supply situation.
Pakistan Imports Additional Spot LNG
Pakistan had earlier imported a 140,000-cubic-meter spot LNG cargo on July 27 to partially compensate for the shortfall created by disruptions to long-term supplies.
With Monday’s arrival of the Qatar cargo, Pakistan has now received 14 LNG cargoes during the current supply period, which began in March 2026.
However, officials and energy-sector stakeholders remain concerned about the impact of expensive LNG imports on the country’s energy costs.
LNG Costs Could Affect Electricity Tariffs
The higher cost of LNG procurement is expected to place additional pressure on electricity tariffs.
Imported LNG-based electricity is currently costing around Rs. 35.5 per unit, making LNG prices an important factor in the overall cost of power generation.
Any prolonged disruption to Qatar’s long-term LNG supplies could force Pakistan to rely more heavily on expensive spot-market cargoes, potentially increasing energy costs for consumers.
LNG Terminals Remain Heavily Occupied
Pakistan’s two LNG import terminals, Engro Elengy Terminal Pakistan Limited and Pakistan GasPort Limited, are currently heavily occupied with LNG stored in their floating storage and regasification units.
Officials said that once the existing LNG is regasified, one of the terminals will become available to receive another QatarEnergy cargo.
The government will continue monitoring shipping conditions in the Strait of Hormuz as it seeks to maintain uninterrupted LNG supplies.
For Pakistan, the safe arrival of the latest Qatar cargo provides some relief, but the longer-term stability of LNG supplies will depend heavily on regional security conditions and the restoration of normal shipping through the strategic waterway.
\Also read: Pakistan Gets Another LNG Cargo From Qatar
