Pakistan Secures Qatari LNG Cargo After Iran Grants Passage

The Government of Pakistan secured a second liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Qatar in September after negotiating safe passage for the shipment through the Strait of Hormuz with Iran. The cargo cleared the strait over the weekend and is expected to arrive in Pakistan by Tuesday.

This shipment follows a period of severe energy shortages and blackouts in Pakistan. The crisis began after Qatar declared force majeure on exports following Iranian strikes that damaged the Ras Laffan LNG export hub. To maintain power generation during this disruption, Pakistan had to rely on expensive spot market purchases.

This successful transit follows a similar negotiation conducted in May. The movement of this cargo coincides with an increasing number of LNG shipments from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates exiting the Persian Gulf, signaling intensified efforts by Gulf exporters to resume regular shipments through the critical maritime chokepoint.