Islamabad, March 16,2026: Pakistan may face a suspension of liquefied natural gas (LNG) availability after April 14 due to supply disruptions linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East, officials informed a Senate committee on Monday.
The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum, chaired by Manzoor Ahmed, was told that LNG imports from Qatar had been suspended since March 2, raising concerns over gas availability for the power sector in the coming weeks.
Officials said the ongoing regional conflict has threatened LNG shipments from Qatar — the world’s second-largest LNG exporter after the United States — which supplies the bulk of Pakistan’s imported LNG used to generate electricity during peak demand.
Shipping through the narrow maritime routes in the region has slowed significantly since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran. The disruption has affected the export of a significant share of the world’s oil and LNG supplies, pushing global oil prices to levels not seen since 2022.
The surge in international prices prompted the federal government to increase petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per litre, citing mounting pressure on domestic energy costs.
During a briefing to the committee, officials from the Ministry of Petroleum said Pakistan has two LNG supply agreements with Qatar, but shipments have been affected by the ongoing conflict. Out of eight cargoes scheduled for March, only two reached Pakistan, while six cargoes expected in April are unlikely to arrive.
As a result, officials warned that LNG supplies may cease after April 14, potentially leaving gas demand in the power sector unmet during April.
To manage the shortfall, authorities are exploring alternative sources, including possible LNG purchases from Azerbaijan. However, officials noted that spot market purchases could cost around $24 per unit compared with $9 under the Qatari contract, which could significantly raise electricity generation costs.
The committee was also informed that Sui Southern Gas Company had reduced gas supply by 50 percent to one fertiliser plant, while gas supply to the power sector had declined from 300 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) to 130 mmcfd. Officials assured lawmakers that domestic consumers would continue to receive gas supplies.
Secretary Petroleum Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Ahmad told the panel that around 70 percent of Pakistan’s petroleum imports originate from the Middle East, making the country vulnerable to regional disruptions.
He noted that shipping movements had been affected, impacting deliveries of petroleum products.
According to the secretary, global fuel prices have surged sharply, with high-speed diesel rising from $88 per barrel to $187 per barrel, while petrol prices increased from $74 per barrel to $130 per barrel.
During the meeting, Senator Saadia Abbasi questioned the government’s decision to raise fuel prices despite the availability of reserves, alleging that the move may have benefited from existing stock.
However, the petroleum secretary said the price adjustment was necessary to discourage hoarding and ensure continued imports, maintaining the availability of petroleum products across the country.
Officials informed the committee that Pakistan currently holds crude oil reserves sufficient for 11 days, diesel stocks for 21 days, petrol reserves for 27 days, LPG stocks for nine days and aviation fuel (JP-1) reserves for 14 days.
According to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, diesel prices have increased by around 100 percent and petrol prices by about 70 percent since March 7.
The secretary added that the government is working on a relief package for motorcycle and rickshaw users, while measures are also being taken to encourage energy conservation and provide public relief.
He further said the government has temporarily allowed imports of oil below the Euro-5 quality standard to ease supply pressures, while a ministerial committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is reviewing the petroleum supply situation on a daily basis.
Officials also noted that regional countries have been affected by the crisis, including India, where around 60 percent of petrol imports have reportedly been disrupted.
Earlier, Energy Minister Awais Leghari said Pakistan’s growing reliance on domestic energy sources — including solar, wind, nuclear, coal and hydropower — has reduced the country’s exposure to global LNG supply disruptions.
He added that Pakistan has already cancelled 21 LNG cargoes scheduled for 2026-27 under a long-term agreement with Eni, as increased domestic power generation and rapid solar expansion have reduced demand for imported gas.
