Commerce Desk
Karachi: Mian Zahid Hussain, President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) and holder of several other business leadership positions, has voiced serious concern over Qatar’s suspension of LNG supply to Pakistan until November 5 under the “Force Majeure” clause, linked to the ongoing US-America war. Since Qatar supplies 20 percent of global LNG, he warned the disruption will hit industrial gas supplies hard, just as winter demand peaks.
He noted that Pakistan’s actual gas consumption already runs below unconstrained demand due to rationing and pipeline limits. Between March and September 2026, amid the Iran-US war, Pakistan secured only 17 LNG cargoes instead of the usual 110–120 annually, with the last Qatari shipment arriving September 22. This has created a 400 MMcf/d deficit, roughly four cargoes short per month.
Hussain warned that power generation, manufacturing, textiles and exports depend on steady gas supply, and cuts could force production cuts, shipment delays and cancelled export orders. He urged the government to buy spot LNG cargoes despite higher costs and prioritize gas allocation to industry and exporters, while welcoming recent gains in foreign exchange reserves and Pakistan’s diplomatic standing.
