Qatar has agreed to cancel surplus liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes, prompting the federal government to decide to reopen previously shut domestic gas fields from January 2026, sources in the Ministry of Petroleum said. The move is expected to ease pressure on the gas transmission system and allow greater use of locally produced gas.
According to officials, domestic gas fields were earlier closed to accommodate excess imported LNG that could not be absorbed by the power sector. As a result, imported gas was being injected into the national pipeline network, forcing authorities to suspend local production to avoid overloading the system.
Sources said that around 200 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of domestic gas production had been halted due to the surplus LNG supplies. The shutdown was aimed at preventing potential damage to gas pipelines caused by excessive pressure and an imbalance in the system.
Under the revised arrangement with Qatar, Pakistan will import 85 LNG cargoes in 2026 instead of the originally planned 120. This means that 35 LNG cargoes will be cancelled, significantly reducing the volume of imported gas and creating space for the resumption of local production.
Officials estimate that the cancellation of surplus LNG cargoes will result in savings of approximately Rs201 billion for Pakistan. The reduction in imports is also expected to improve the efficiency of the gas supply chain by prioritising indigenous resources over costly imports.
The reopening of domestic gas fields from January 2026 will help increase the share of local gas in the energy mix, reduce reliance on imported LNG and support energy security. Petroleum ministry sources said the decision reflects a broader effort to optimise gas supply management and align imports with actual demand.
By balancing LNG imports with domestic production, the government aims to ensure smoother operations of the gas infrastructure, prevent wastage, and achieve significant fiscal savings while meeting the country’s energy needs more sustainably.
