Exclusive: Pakistan finance minister to seek deferred payments for Qatari LNG

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail speaks through an job interview with Reuters at his place of work, in Islamabad, Pakistan June 11, 2022. REUTERS/Salahuddin/File Photograph

ISLAMABAD, June 11 (Reuters) – Pakistan will look for a deferred payment strategy for liquefied normal gas acquired under prolonged phrase specials with Qatar, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail claimed on Saturday, as Islamabad faces a harmony of payments crisis and slipping overseas exchange reserves.

Pakistan unveiled a 2022-23 spending plan on Friday aimed at fiscal consolidation as it tries to persuade the Global Monetary Fund to restart a great deal-essential monetary guidance. But the loan provider has expressed worries about the quantities, such as its current account deficit. read through additional

“We’ve talked about a deferred payment system … or at least I have requested this … and (Pakistan’s) petroleum minister is doing negotiations and is heading to do the talks,” Ismail advised Reuters in an interview.

As it awaits IMF cash, hard cash-strapped Pakistan is faced with slipping international exchange reserves, adequate for considerably less than 45 times of imports, and a massive present-day account deficit – with electrical power purchases dominating its file import invoice.

World wide strength charges have risen to report stages in new months amid reduced Russian source and resurgent need in Asia.

Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, who was in Doha this week for talks with Qatari Minister of Condition for Strength Affairs and Qatar Strength main govt Saad al-Kaabi, verified talks but stated his federal government was exploring unique “innovative” pricing and supply techniques in wide-dependent talks.

“Deferred payment obviously would be enormously valuable for Pakistan in the way of money flows, but that is not the only dialogue that we are getting,” Malik mentioned in an audio message, describing the conversations as “preliminary”.

Qatar’s federal government did not instantly react to a request for comment.

Time period CONTRACTS

In latest yrs Pakistan has amplified reliance on LNG for electric power era, but is experiencing widespread ability outrages as procurement of the chilled gas remains unreliable and high priced.

Ismail claimed his federal government was also talking to Qatar about a new five- or 10-yr LNG provide deal for three regular monthly cargos, as nicely as an more cargo under an current offer.

Pakistan by now has two very long time period provide offers with Qatar – the first signed in 2016 for 5 cargoes a thirty day period, and the next in 2021, below which Pakistan at present will get 3 regular shipments.

Malik reported Qatar was between numerous suppliers Pakistan was conversing to for expression contracts as it tries to navigate a “sizzling” and “pricy” current market.

Pakistan has unsuccessfully tapped the location market for an extra July cargo, with two tenders about the very last week not returning legitimate bids.

Ismail claimed two other lengthy-term suppliers experienced been not able to fulfil contractual source obligations to Pakistan.

Reporting by Gibran Peshimam in Islamabad Added reporting by Andrew Mills in Doha Editing by Mike Harrison

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