- July 31, 2026
- Posted by: Tresmark
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Pakistan has secured safe passage for at least one Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo through negotiations with Iran, as Islamabad works to ease an energy crisis triggered by regional conflict, according to Bloomberg.
The Al Areesh LNG carrier, which had remained anchored in the Persian Gulf after loading at Qatar's Ras Laffan terminal in early July, transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday and is now bound for Pakistan, according to Bloomberg's ship-tracking data.
Sources familiar with the matter said the agreement with Iran could potentially extend to additional LNG shipments, helping restore disrupted fuel supplies.
Pakistan, which depends heavily on Qatari LNG, has faced severe fuel shortages and rolling power outages after escalating regional tensions disrupted cargo deliveries. Earlier this year, Islamabad also used diplomatic channels with Tehran to facilitate the safe passage of LNG cargoes.
Since the conflict began in late February, Pakistan has spent more than $400 million purchasing LNG from the spot market to replace disrupted Qatari supplies, according to Bloomberg estimates.
Officials from Pakistan's petroleum ministry, Iran's foreign ministry and Qatar's International Media Office did not immediately comment on the reported arrangement, while details of the agreement, including whether any payment was made, remain unclear.
