Pakistan received its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo for October, but concerns over winter supplies remain. The shipment arrived from Qatar on Tuesday as the country prepares for higher gas demand during winter 2026-27. However, officials still face the challenge of meeting expected demand across domestic and industrial sectors.
The LNG vessel Al Areesh reached Engro’s LNG terminal at 11:05am on Tuesday. Regasification began at noon, allowing the imported LNG to be converted into natural gas. The shipment provides a needed addition to Pakistan’s gas supplies ahead of the colder months.
Read more: Pakistan receives second Qatar LNG shipment this month
Pakistan will need 24 LNG cargoes to meet its gas requirements during winter 2026-27. However, the arrival of one shipment does not resolve concerns about the country’s overall supply position. Further imports will be important as demand rises across different sectors.
Meanwhile, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited expects daily demand to increase significantly during winter. Its demand could rise from the current 550 million cubic feet per day to 1,550 million cubic feet. This projected increase highlights the pressure on the country’s gas supply system.
Similarly, Sui Southern Gas Company expects demand to climb from 300 million cubic feet per day to 500 million cubic feet. Together, these projections point to a substantial rise in gas requirements across the two utility networks. Consequently, balancing available supplies with demand could become more difficult during winter.
Read more: Pakistan secures second Qatari LNG cargo amid power shortages
The expected shortfall has raised concerns about gas availability for several industrial sectors. Export-oriented and non-export-oriented industries, compressed natural gas stations and cement manufacturers could face supply restrictions. These disruptions could affect industrial operations if available gas falls short of winter demand.
For now, Pakistan’s first October LNG cargo offers some relief, but winter supply concerns remain unresolved. The country needs 24 cargoes to meet its projected requirements for the 2026-27 winter season. Therefore, the availability of additional shipments and the balance between demand and supply will remain important in the coming months.