Pakistan GasPort plans to purchase US LNG, seeking to break Middle Eastern supply dominance and ease energy shortages

(1) The operator of one of Pakistan's two major liquefied natural gas import terminals, Pakistan GasPort Limited, is planning to procure US shipments to fill the supply gap caused by the Persian Gulf and alleviate the months-long energy shortage that has had a severe impact. (2) GasPort Chairman Iqbal Z. Ahmed stated during a break at the Gastech conference in Bangkok: “If we look to the West, we can change the current situation and break the Middle East's control over supply.” (3) He added that the company would seek to establish long-term alternative supply partnerships, noting that “the US energy industry is about to experience a large-scale expansion. We just need to establish long-term cooperation with them.” (4) He called on the government to promote relevant negotiations and consider allowing private companies like GasPort to import liquefied natural gas. (5) Ahmed said that Pakistan's monthly liquefied natural gas imports have dropped from a high of 10-12 shipments to only 2-3 shipments this month.