Pakistan asks Qatar to divert 29 LNG cargoes to ease gas surplus

ISLAMABAD: Amid a sustained decline in the domestic gas demand, Pakistan has formally requested Qatar to divert 29 RLNG cargoes scheduled for 2026, up from an earlier request for 24 cargoes. “Qatari authorities are expected to respond to Pakistan’s request on November 15, 2025,” senior officials of the Petroleum Division told this correspondent.

“There have already been positive indications from Doha on the earlier diversion proposal of 24 cargoes, but the revised request reflects further reduction in the national gas consumption,” an official said. If Qatar agrees to the diversion plan, Pakistan can save around $339.6 million in foreign exchange, based on the term cargo price of Rs28.3 million per shipment. However, under the Net Proceeds Differential (NPD) clause in the long-term LNG supply agreement, profits from any resale above the contract price go to Qatar, while Pakistan must bear any losses — potentially up to $10 million per cargo, including the operational costs.