Business Desk 
Oct 18, 2025
Pakistan has asked Qatar to divert 24 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes to the international market in 2026, as the country faces declining local demand and an oversupply of gas on Saturday.
Under the net proceed differential (NPD) term of the long-term LNG contract, Pakistan will be able to resell excess cargoes to Qatar.
Nonetheless, in terms of relief, this clause is of limited help. Qatar retains all profit, while Pakistan suffers losses if the global market price is less than the contracted price.
According to officials from the Petroleum Division, this proposal will be finalised by the end of October.
Currently, Pakistan imports nine LNG cargoes from Qatar every month under two long-term contracts.
Five cargoes are delivered under a 15-year contract at a price equivalent to 13.37% of Brent crude; the other four cargoes are contracted for under 10 years at a price equivalent to 10.2% of Brent.
Both contracts contain strict "Take-or-Pay" terms, which obligate Pakistan to pay even if the LNG is unused.
With the power and export industries consuming much less than expected, the gas surplus has increased dramatically.
According to officials, LNG consumption in the power sector has dropped to 486 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), significantly lower than the guaranteed 800 mmcfd.
Industrial demand has also plunged due to high prices, currently around Rs3,500 per MMBtu plus additional levies.
