Rehan Shahid 
Dec 08, 2025
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik on Sunday announced that Pakistan would begin selling excess liquefied natural gas (LNG) in international markets from January 1, 2026.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said that Pakistan had been importing LNG from Qatar and the Italian firm Eni, but reduced use in power generation in recent months had created a surplus.
The government had been forced to divert costly imported gas to domestic consumers, which has inflicted losses of around Rs1,000 billion since 2018-19.
“From January 1, we will sell this excess fuel in international markets and reduce our burden while limiting the loss caused by it,” he added.
There was a strong public demand to exclude the use of substandard gas cylinders for a long time, which has now been addressed.
Malik said that 250,000 to 300,000 new gas connections are being provided, and efforts are underway to give relief to citizens across Pakistan during the winter season.
The petroleum minsister stated: "A new pipeline from Maachike to Thallian is being laid, while the global energy transition from oil to electricity is being closely observed."
The government has attempted to overcome the circular debt, while a Turkish petroleum company was set to open its office in Islamabad, creating new jobs for Pakistanis.
