Pakistan’s Growth Slows as Hormuz Crisis Hits Industry

The Middle East crisis is threatening Pakistan’s tentative recovery from the brink with the help of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as soaring energy prices and the lack of regular LNG supply from Qatar dragged growth in gross domestic product (GDP) well below analyst estimates. Pakistan’s economy grew by 2.0% in the quarter ended June, which is the fourth quarter of its fiscal year 2026, official data by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday. The GDP growth was more than twice as slow in April to June compared to…

LNG Market Background

The global LNG market has undergone a structural transformation in recent years, with U.S. exports reshaping trade flows and providing consuming nations with greater supply optionality. European buyers have accelerated long-term LNG contracting following the disruption of Russian pipeline gas supplies.

New LNG liquefaction capacity — from the U.S. Gulf Coast, Qatar's North Field expansion, and Australian projects — is expected to add significant supply volumes through the late 2020s, with implications for long-term contract pricing and spot market dynamics.

What to Watch

Stakeholders will be tracking spot LNG cargo pricing in Asian and European markets, liquefaction plant utilization rates, and upcoming long-term supply contract negotiations as global LNG trade flows continue to evolve.