ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans to increase liquefied natural gas purchases from Qatar and the spot market as the US-Iran conflict disrupts energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
The government is finalising a strategy to buy at least one spot LNG cargo for delivery in July and as many as six shipments for August, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg.
The move comes as escalating attacks by Iran and the United States across the Gulf restrict oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has also asked the Houthis to prepare to close the Red Sea export route.
Higher temperatures in Pakistan have meanwhile increased electricity demand, while lower solar power supplies to the grid have forced the government to rely more heavily on LNG-fired generation, AKD Securities Research Director Muhammad Awais Ashraf told Bloomberg.
Pakistan’s effort to secure additional LNG supplies may also indicate that the government expects the regional conflict to continue, the report said.
The country has faced difficulties securing spot LNG cargoes in recent years because of volatile international prices and supply disruptions, with the latest Gulf conflict adding further pressure.
In early July 2026, Pakistan purchased an LNG cargo from TotalEnergies SE for delivery on July 10-11 at $17.37 per mmbtu. It was the country’s second spot purchase in two weeks and was arranged to replace Qatari supplies disrupted by renewed hostilities around the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan LNG Limited subsequently issued a tender for an urgent cargo for delivery on July 15-16 after another Qatari shipment was cancelled.
