Qatar LNG flows may normalise in three years

Senate body told most imports come from Gulf

ISLAMABAD:

A parliamentary body was informed on Thursday that the country's fuel supply could face further disruptions if regional tensions escalate, given the country's heavy reliance on imports from the Gulf.

The warning came during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum, chaired by Manzoor Kakar, where officials briefed lawmakers on the status of imported oil and gas.

Officials from the Petroleum Division told the committee that the bulk of Pakistan's petroleum products were sourced from Gulf countries, as they highlighted the structural dependence on the region.

They added that approximately 45% of petroleum supplies destined for China also transit through these routes, highlighting broader geopolitical sensitivities.

The committee was further informed that full restoration of LNG supply from Qatar could take two to three years, while currently available stocks would be sufficient for about one month.

During the briefing, officials noted that consumption of petroleum products had increased following recent price hikes, indicating shifting demand patterns.

They maintained that the gas situation had improved for now, while recalling that RLNG imports had historically been secured through long-term agreements.

The Petroleum Division also stated that measures had been taken to ensure that gas extracted from domestic wells is directly fed into the national grid, in an effort to stabilise supply and improve distribution efficiency.