Qatar LNG returns to Pakistan after nearly 2-month gap

August 10, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan received an LNG shipment from Qatar on Monday, marking the first such cargo in nearly two months as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to complicate regional energy supplies.

The LNG carrier Al Areesh arrived at the Pakistan GasPort Terminal at around 11:30 a.m. Pakistan time on August 10, according to sources told Mettis.

The Ministry of Energy said Pakistan has received seven spot LNG cargoes since disruptions began on April 30, while six cargoes, including the latest shipment, were delivered under long-term supply arrangements.

Pakistan has increasingly turned to spot LNG purchases to bridge supply requirements, with procurement decisions influenced by domestic consumption needs and international LNG prices.

The previous LNG shipment from Qatar reached Pakistan on June 22. Meanwhile, the latest spot LNG cargo was delivered during the July 27–28 window at a price of $21.88 per million British thermal units (MMBtu).

Despite continued supply challenges, Pakistan’s LNG import bill declined substantially during FY26. According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data released on July 21, the country spent $2.221bn on LNG imports in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, compared with $3.476 billion in the previous fiscal year, representing a decline of around 36%.

Pakistan typically receives around nine to 10 LNG cargoes each month under its long-term agreements with Qatar.

The country entered into its first long-term LNG supply agreement with Qatar in 2016 for a 15-year period, with the LNG price linked to 13.37% of Brent crude oil. In 2021, Pakistan signed another 10-year agreement under which LNG is priced at 10.2% of Brent crude oil.

The prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has created additional challenges for the movement of energy shipments, prompting Pakistan to adjust its LNG procurement strategy and make greater use of spot-market cargoes to maintain supplies for domestic demand.

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