OGRA raised RLNG prices by more than one-third for July 2026, driven by a sharp drop in the number of LNG cargoes imported during the month, adding further pressure on consumers already dealing with high inflation.
Only five LNG cargoes arrived in July, the third-lowest monthly volume since Pakistan began importing the fuel.
According to a notification issued by the regulator on Friday, SSGC consumers in the south face the steeper increase, with prices rising by $6.4512 per MMBtu to $25.087, a jump of 34.6 percent. SNGPL consumers in the north will pay $25.8388 per MMBtu, an increase of $6.316, or 32.35 percent.
State-run Pakistan LNG Limited purchased all five July cargoes from the international spot market, where prices are higher and more volatile. PSO, which imports Qatari gas under two long-term, crude-linked contracts, brought in no cargoes during the month, a gap that has driven the price surge.
The shortfall traces back to March 2, when drone strikes hit energy infrastructure in Qatar. QatarEnergy, the largest LNG exporter in the world, declared force majeure following the attacks and suspended shipments to customers across Europe and Asia, including Pakistan.
RLNG prices in Pakistan have climbed more than 144 percent since the start of unrest in the Middle East.
With no clear timeline for a return to cheaper Qatari supplies, Pakistan is expected to continue relying on the more expensive spot market for LNG, keeping costs elevated for consumers unless the regional situation eases.
