Pakistan to import three LNG cargoes from Qatar for October amid Hormuz uncertainty

Citing The News, Profit reports that Pakistan intends to bring in three October shipments of liquefied natural gas from Qatar, and that officials will approach Iranian authorities to help the tankers pass safely. The request follows QatarEnergy's decision to prolong its force majeure declaration affecting LNG deliveries to Pakistan until November 4, which has raised concerns ahead of winter.

Pakistan secured two Qatari cargoes in September after consulting authorities in Iran and the United States, with the first arriving around September 10 and the second on September 23. Officials warned that three October deliveries could be harder to arrange given continued Hormuz uncertainty and the absence of a wider accord between the United States and Iran. Spot purchases are estimated at roughly $100 million per cargo, and the country has so far avoided that market despite shortage risks.

Domestic gas demand is climbing as temperatures fall, with the power sector drawing about 237 mmcfd of regasified LNG as of October 5, followed by export and non-export users at about 175 mmcfd and fertiliser plants at about 88 mmcfd. Officials expect winter requirements to rise to roughly nine cargoes in December and around 11 in January 2027, while the Engro LNG terminal stands ready and the PGPL terminal is regasifying cargo delivered by a ship that reached port on September 23.