Pakistan asks Qatar to defer LNG cargoes on weaker demand

The Pakistan government is to ask QatarEnergy to defer on LNG cargoes as it forecasts a supply surplus until 2031 which will cost it $5.64bn, according to local media reports.

Pakistan faces a projected surplus of 177 cargoes over the next six years, the reports claim, reflecting weakening domestic demand for imported LNG.

Its Economic Coordination Committee has authorised the Petroleum Division to try to renegotiate contract terms.

Following a memorandum of understanding signed in 2025,  the country’s Pakistan State Oil (PSO) signed two long-term sale and purchase agreements with QatarEnergy in 2016 and 2021. Separately Pakistan LNG signed a 15-year supply contract with Eni in 2017.