South Asia Gas Crunch; Pakistan Holds Two Emergency LNG Tenders in Two Weeks

The disruption to Qatar's gas exports caused by the Hormuz war has left South Asia short of supply. By July 18 (27 Tir 1405), Pakistan had held its second emergency spot-LNG tender in two weeks as Qatari cargoes were cut off again. Pakistan sources about 99% of its LNG imports from Qatar and the UAE, leaving it highly exposed.

In response to the shortage, India has rationed gas to its industrial sector and Pakistan has activated an emergency gas-management plan that prioritizes household use and has suspended about 78 million cubic feet per day of gas to the fertilizer sector. Analysts warn that a prolonged crisis could deepen power cuts and cut industrial output across the region.