Pakistan Seeks 1 Million Tons of LNG to Combat Summer Power Crisis

The state-owned Pakistan LNG Limited is struggling to secure delivery contracts, as previous tenders often failed when the lowest bids exceeded the government’s budget. For years, the nation relied on long-term agreements with Qatar, but the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following regional missile strikes severed that vital pipeline. While the government recently negotiated the safe passage of two Qatari carriers, the lack of consistent, fixed-term supply has forced the country to navigate the volatile spot market for the first time in nearly three years.

This shift toward expensive spot cargoes is placing immense strain on an already fragile economy. Inflation accelerated by 11.7% in May, with core inflation figures climbing by 9% annually. As power outages become more frequent, the government remains trapped between the necessity of keeping the lights on and the reality of rising global energy prices.