Pakistan Shifts to Furnace Oil Amid Severe LNG Shortage and Energy Crisis

The crisis stems from regional conflicts involving Iran, which led Qatar to declare ‘force majeure,’ severely affecting LNG imports to Pakistan.

Energy Minister Awais Leghari stated in a press conference that the country is grappling with a shortage of approximately 3,400 MW. LNG-powered plants, which have a combined capacity of 6,000 MW, are currently producing only 500 MW due to the fuel crunch. This has forced the government to implement load-shedding for six to seven hours in various regions.

Adding to the struggle, hydroelectric power generation has plummeted to 1,600 MW—nearly half of last April's output—due to low rainfall and reduced water release from reservoirs. To prevent a total grid collapse, the government is now relying on expensive alternative fuels and delaying essential infrastructure maintenance.