Pakistan may face a serious shortage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) after April 14 due to a major disruption in supply from Qatar. Officials shared this information during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum, which was chaired by Senator Manzoor Ahmad. The committee was informed that LNG deliveries from Qatar have been completely suspended since March 2, creating concerns about future energy availability in the country.
According to officials, Pakistan was scheduled to receive eight LNG cargo shipments during March. However, only two cargoes were actually delivered, leaving a significant gap in supply. The situation for April also appears uncertain. While six cargoes were expected for the month, the number of shipments has reportedly been reduced, increasing pressure on the country’s energy sector.
Pakistan Business Costs 34% Higher Than Regional Competitors, Says Business Forum Report
The shortage has already started affecting the power sector. Officials revealed that gas supply for electricity generation has dropped sharply from 300 million cubic feet per day (MMscfd) to around 130 MMscfd. This major reduction may create challenges for electricity production, especially as demand increases during the warmer months.
To address the shortage, authorities are exploring alternative sources of LNG. One possible option is importing gas from Azerbaijan or other international suppliers. However, officials warned that purchasing LNG from alternative markets would likely be more expensive than existing agreements.
Higher LNG import costs could directly affect electricity generation expenses, which may eventually increase the cost of power production in Pakistan. Energy experts say the government will need to carefully manage supply and explore long-term solutions to avoid future shortages and maintain stability in the country’s energy sector.
