Energy Crisis: Qatar Halts All LNG Supplies to Pakistan Amid Escalating Middle East War, Pakistan’s energy crisis has reached a breaking point as QatarEnergy officially notified the Petroleum Division of a total suspension of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) shipments. The state-owned Qatari giant has declared Force Majeure after its production facilities in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed came under direct military attack, coupled with the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Read More: Fuel Crisis: Pakistan Proposes Mandatory ‘Work From Home’ Policy to Save Energy
80% of March Shipments Cancelled
Pakistan, which relies on Qatar for nearly 99% of its LNG imports, was scheduled to receive eight cargoes this month. However, the situation has turned dire:
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Shipments Received: Only 2 out of the 8 scheduled cargoes have arrived so far.
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Shipments Cancelled: The remaining 6 cargoes, originally due between March 7 and March 21, will not reach Pakistan’s shores.
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Force Majeure: This legal clause allows Qatar to suspend its contractual obligations due to “unforeseeable circumstances” (war), meaning Pakistan has no legal recourse for the missing fuel.
Immediate Impact: Industrial Shutdowns and Load-Shedding
The ripple effect of the supply cut is already being felt across the national economy.
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Fertilizer Crisis: Agritech Limited has already announced an indefinite shutdown of its urea plant starting March 4 due to the suspension of RLNG. This threatens the upcoming Kharif sowing season and national food security.
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Industrial Gas Cuts: SNGPL and SSGC have begun “load management,” cutting gas to non-export industries to prioritize domestic consumers and essential power plants.
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Power Sector Strain: With LNG-fired power plants (like Haveli Bahadur Shah and Bhikki) running out of fuel, the country is expected to face 8 to 12 hours of load-shedding in urban centers.
The “Hormuz Chokepoint”
Even if Qatar restarts production (which analysts say will take at least 4 weeks after repairs), the Strait of Hormuz remains a “no-go zone.” Iranian forces have effectively blocked the waterway, leaving dozens of LNG carriers trapped inside the Gulf. Shipping insurance and freight costs have surged by over 400%, making spot-market purchases economically impossible for Pakistan.
Government’s Emergency Plan
Petroleum Minister Jam Kamal stated that the government is looking at “alternative fuel options,” including:
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Furnace Oil & Coal: Increasing the use of expensive furnace oil and local Thar coal for power generation.
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Spot Market Hunt: Attempting to secure expensive cargoes from the Atlantic Basin (USA/Africa), though global prices have already jumped by 65%.
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Conservation: The proposed Work-From-Home (WFH) and early market closures are expected to be implemented immediately to conserve every unit of energy.
