Key Takeaways
- Pakistan has negotiated safe passage for an LNG tanker through the Strait of Hormuz.
- The tanker, loaded in Qatar, is expected to reach Pakistan’s LNG import facility by Tuesday.
- This marks the second Qatari delivery this month, following earlier successful shipments.
Pakistan has secured a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Qatar, navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Bloomberg. The tanker, which loaded its cargo from Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility in late June, is expected to arrive at Pakistan’s LNG import facility by Tuesday.
The successful negotiation of this shipment comes as Pakistan faces a growing energy crunch, with the country heavily dependent on its long-term supply deals with Qatar for stable and more affordable LNG. However, renewed hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz led to the cancellation of a Qatari LNG shipment scheduled for July 2026, prompting Qatar to declare force majeure and disrupting LNG imports.
Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister, Ali Pervaiz Malik, warned that the price of fuel could rise to Rs1,000 per litre if a shortage develops, while noting that there is currently no fuel shortage in the country. He stated that oil prices in the international market had increased by around 80%, while petrol prices in Pakistan had been raised by only 50% since March 1 this year.
The successful delivery of this LNG cargo is preferable for the government, as it avoids the need to buy additional expensive shipments from the spot market, where prices have spiked to the highest level since 2022. This marks the second such Qatari delivery this month, following an earlier successful shipment that arrived at Pakistan’s Port Qasim.
The negotiation of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz was conducted between government officials, providing some relief to Pakistan as it seeks to stabilize its energy supply. The government had been considering a tender if the shipment did not get through Hormuz, but the successful delivery is seen as a positive development.
Pakistan’s heavy reliance on its long-term supply deals with Qatar underscores the importance of maintaining stable and affordable energy sources. The successful negotiation and delivery of this LNG cargo highlight the government’s efforts to secure reliable energy supplies amid geopolitical disruptions.
