ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has purchased another liquefied natural gas (LNG) Cargo from the international spot market as supply disruptions from Qatar continue following the Iran-Israel conflict.
The latest purchase comes as the country works to secure enough LNG supplies to meet domestic energy demand. Pakistan has been forced to buy additional shipments after some deliveries under its long-term contracts with Qatar were affected.
According to international reports, state-owned Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) purchased an LNG Cargo from TotalEnergies. The shipment is scheduled for delivery on July 10 and 11.
The cargo was bought at a price of $17.37 per million British thermal units (mmBtu). The deal followed a spot market tender that closed on Friday.
This is Pakistan’s second spot LNG purchase within the last two weeks. The move reflects the government’s efforts to replace delayed supplies from its regular supplier.
Qatar has long been Pakistan’s main LNG supplier through long-term agreements. However, exports have not fully recovered after disruptions linked to the recent Iran-Israel conflict.
Although shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz has improved following the US-Iran ceasefire, LNG exports from Qatar remain below normal levels. This has continued to affect countries that depend heavily on Qatari gas supplies.
Pakistan has historically relied on long-term LNG contracts with Qatar. This dependence made the country more vulnerable when supply chains were disrupted during the regional conflict.
As a result, Islamabad has turned to the international spot market to secure replacement shipments. During the crisis, Pakistan explored LNG supplies from several countries, including the United States, Oman, Mozambique, Nigeria, and the Republic of the Congo.
The newly purchased Cargo is significantly more expensive than LNG imported under Pakistan’s long-term agreements with Qatar. The spot market price is nearly double the cost of regular contract supplies.
The higher price highlights the financial pressure created by the ongoing supply disruption. Purchasing LNG from the spot market often costs more because prices are influenced by immediate demand and global market conditions.
Energy experts say continued reliance on expensive spot purchases could increase Pakistan’s overall import bill. It may also place additional pressure on the country’s energy sector if supply disruptions continue.
The government has been working to maintain a stable gas supply while monitoring developments in the regional energy market. Officials are also watching LNG exports from Qatar closely for signs of a full recovery.
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Pakistan’s latest LNG purchase demonstrates the importance of securing alternative energy sources during global supply disruptions. The government is expected to continue assessing market conditions to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies while managing the rising cost of energy imports.
