Pakistan is expecting a third liquefied natural gas cargo from Qatar within days under a long-term supply agreement, officials said Tuesday.
The LNG carrier Fuwairit crossed the Strait of Hormuz and is bound for Port Qasim, bringing contracted Qatari LNG to help stabilize the country's energy supply amid volatile global fuel prices
What does Pakistan's third Qatar LNG cargo mean for energy supply?
The Fuwairit delivery marks the third Qatari LNG shipment to reach Pakistan in roughly two weeks, bringing total contracted volumes close to 200,000 metric tons.
These cargoes are supplied under long-term state-to-state agreements, shielding Pakistan from the full impact of surging spot market prices and helping reduce the risk of load-shedding for power plants and industrial consumers.
Which LNG carriers have recently docked at Port Qasim?
The Fuwairit follows two earlier deliveries from Qatar. The LNG carrier Mihzem, carrying around 160,000 cubic meters of liquefied natural gas, berthed at the Pak GasPort terminal at Port Qasim.
A Q-Flex carrier, Al Kharaitiyat, docked at the Engro terminal, a port official said. Together, the three shipments represent a significant injection of contracted gas supply into Pakistan's energy system.
How much is Pakistan paying for spot LNG cargoes?
Pakistan also purchased one LNG cargo from the international spot market to address rising domestic demand and supply shortfalls. That cargo was bought at more than $18 per million British thermal units, a figure significantly higher than contracted import prices.
The premium underscores the financial burden that emergency fuel procurement places on the country's foreign exchange reserves.
What are Pakistan's long-term LNG contracts with Qatar?
Pakistan holds two long-term LNG agreements with Qatar. The first is a 15-year deal expiring in January 2031, priced at a Brent crude slope of 13.37%.
The second is a 10-year contract ending in December 2032, priced at a 10.2% Brent slope. Energy officials said the latest Fuwairit shipment falls under the 13.37% slope arrangement.
Why do long-term LNG contracts matter for Pakistan?
Long-term agreements provide more stable and predictable pricing compared with spot market purchases, particularly during periods of geopolitical uncertainty. "Spot cargoes are usually obtained to bridge short-term shortages, but they place a heavy burden on import costs when international prices surge," an energy expert said.
"Contracted LNG from Qatar provides relative price stability and helps Pakistan avoid severe market shocks."
How dependent is Pakistan on LNG imports?
Pakistan has relied increasingly on LNG imports over the past decade to support electricity generation and industrial consumption, particularly during peak summer and winter demand periods.
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates together supply the overwhelming majority of Pakistan's LNG imports, according to energy data.
The government is working to balance energy security with rising import costs as domestic demand continues to grow and foreign exchange reserves remain under pressure.
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