Pakistan to Pay Over $15 Million Monthly to LNG Terminals Despite Force Majeure by QatarEnergy

Pakistan will pay over $15 million monthly to LNG terminals, continuing payments despite QatarEnergy's force majeure. Daily payments of about $538,535 are made, even with LNG production halted since March 2. Criticism of the agreements has arisen, highlighting structural weaknesses in contracts as payments continue without gas supply. The financial burden exacerbates the country's fragile economic situation, marked by a 3.1% GDP growth rate and high poverty rates.

Published Mar 22, 2026

Pakistan is obligated to pay over $15 million per month to its LNG terminals, continuing even after QatarEnergy declared force majeure earlier this month. Daily payments of approximately $538,535 are made despite the suspension of LNG production since March 2.

AI-curated by Theia

Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, has criticized the agreements as faulty. Pakistan has imported LNG worth around $35 billion and paid nearly $3 billion in capacity charges. State-run entities have invoked superior force clauses in response to the force majeure, but agreements with private operators still require payments in USD regardless of gas supply. This situation adds financial pressure on Pakistan amid its fragile external account position, with a GDP growth rate of 3.1% and a poverty rate of 28.9%.