Pakistan could face a complete shortage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) after April 14 due to supply disruptions linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East, officials informed a Senate committee on Monday.
During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum, chaired by Senator Manzoor Ahmed, members were told that LNG imports from Qatar have remained suspended since March 2, raising serious concerns about gas availability, particularly for the power generation sector.
Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum said Pakistan relies heavily on LNG shipments from Qatar, one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas. However, the ongoing regional conflict has severely disrupted shipping routes, significantly affecting scheduled deliveries.
Out of eight LNG cargoes planned for March, only two reached Pakistan, while six shipments expected in April are now unlikely to arrive. Authorities warned the committee that LNG supplies in the country could be exhausted after April 14, leaving power producers unable to meet full gas demand.
The disruption stems from instability in the Middle East, where maritime traffic through key energy shipping routes has slowed considerably since the start of the US-Israel conflict involving Iran. The situation has impacted global oil and LNG trade, contributing to sharp increases in international energy prices.
Rising global fuel costs have also affected Pakistan domestically, prompting the government to increase petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per litre amid mounting import expenses.
Officials said the government is exploring alternative LNG sources, including potential spot purchases from Azerbaijan. However, such imports could cost around $24 per unit compared to approximately $9 under existing Qatari agreements, potentially increasing electricity generation costs.
The committee was informed that gas supplies to industries and power plants have already been reduced. Sui Southern Gas Company has cut gas supply by 50 per cent to one fertiliser plant, while gas provided to the power sector has declined from 300 mmcfd to 130 mmcfd. Authorities assured lawmakers that domestic consumers would continue receiving gas supply despite shortages.
Petroleum Secretary Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Ahmad told the panel that around 70 per cent of Pakistan’s petroleum imports originate from the Middle East, making the country vulnerable to regional instability. Shipping disruptions have affected deliveries, while global fuel prices have surged sharply, with high-speed diesel rising from $88 per barrel to $187 and petrol increasing from $74 to $130 per barrel.
Lawmakers questioned the government’s decision to raise fuel prices despite existing reserves, with some senators alleging gains from price adjustments on available stock. However, officials maintained that the increases were necessary to discourage hoarding and ensure an uninterrupted supply nationwide.
According to the briefing, Pakistan currently holds crude oil reserves sufficient for 11 days, diesel for 21 days, petrol for 27 days, LPG for nine days, and aviation fuel for 14 days.
The government has also introduced temporary measures to stabilise supply, including allowing limited imports of fuel below Euro-5 standards and increasing utilisation of existing reserves. A ministerial committee formed by the prime minister is reviewing the petroleum supply situation daily, and the government is working on a relief package for motorcycle and rickshaw users.
Officials noted that petroleum imports continue despite challenges, adding that regional countries, including India, are also facing disruptions due to the crisis.
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Awais Leghari said Pakistan’s increasing reliance on domestic energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, coal and nuclear energy has helped reduce dependence on imported LNG. The country has also cancelled 21 LNG cargoes scheduled for 2026-27 under a long-term agreement with Italy’s Eni amid declining gas demand driven by renewable energy expansion.
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