Pakistan faces widening gas shortages as the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. Azerbaijan’s state energy company Socar just announced a potential solution. The company said it stands ready to supply liquefied natural gas as soon as Islamabad places a request. This means Azerbaijan ready to supply LNG under an existing framework. Socar Trading and Pakistan LNG Limited signed the agreement back in 2025. The deal allows the Pakistani buyer to purchase cargoes directly through an accelerated procedure. Socar can move ahead once Pakistan LNG Limited submits a formal request.

The offer arrives at a critical moment for Pakistan’s energy security. The country scrambles to secure spot cargoes amid a widening shortfall. Domestic production continues declining while global LNG markets face renewed uncertainty. Middle East tensions have created major disruptions. Officials in the Petroleum Division confirmed that imports of four LNG cargoes from Qatar have been halted. Iran closed the strait again, blocking critical supply routes. Pakistan State Oil was arranging those cargoes under two agreements with QatarEnergy. The shipments remain suspended until the strait stabilizes.

Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik spoke about the situation earlier this week. He said QatarEnergy currently has 8 to 10 loaded LNG vessels available. Pakistan is trying to secure as much short-term supply as possible from those cargoes. With Qatar shipments blocked, Azerbaijan ready to supply LNG offers a vital alternative. Socar did not specify whether Pakistan has already made a request. The company also did not say when a first delivery could take place. The cargoes could come from Azerbaijan’s own supply or third-party volumes.

The framework agreement already exists. The procedure is accelerated. Pakistan just needs to ask.