Azerbaijan offers LNG supplies to Pakistan as energy pressures mount
By Shahzad Paracha :
Azerbaijan’s state energy firm SOCAR has said it is ready to supply liquefied natural gas to Pakistan at short notice, as Islamabad looks for urgent fuel imports to address a growing energy shortfall.
The company said deliveries could begin once a formal request is made by Pakistan LNG Limited under a framework agreement signed in 2025 with Socar Trading. The arrangement allows Pakistan to procure LNG cargoes through an expedited process.
While SOCAR did not confirm whether a request has already been submitted or when shipments could start, officials indicated the mechanism was designed to enable swift procurement in times of supply disruption.
Pakistan’s need for additional LNG has intensified following delays in shipments from Qatar, linked to renewed tensions in the region and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Authorities say several cargoes arranged by Pakistan State Oil under agreements with QatarEnergy have been suspended until the situation stabilises.
The disruption has added pressure on Pakistan’s energy sector, which relies heavily on imported gas amid declining domestic production and volatile global LNG prices.
Officials say QatarEnergy currently has multiple LNG vessels loaded but unable to proceed due to the security situation, while Pakistan is seeking to secure as much supply as possible once restrictions are lifted.
The shortages have already begun to affect power generation, with authorities estimating that around 400 million cubic feet per day of gas is required to meet electricity demand and prevent outages.
Energy analysts say the offer from Azerbaijan provides Pakistan with an alternative supply route at a time of heightened uncertainty in global energy markets, particularly as geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt key shipping lanes.
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