Azerbaijan’s state energy company Socar has offered to supply liquefied natural gas to Pakistan as the country looks for alternative fuel sources amid disruptions to cargo movements through the Strait of Hormuz.

Socar said it is prepared to provide LNG as soon as Pakistan submits a formal request under a framework agreement signed in 2025 between Socar Trading and Pakistan LNG Limited. The arrangement allows Pakistan LNG Limited to buy cargoes directly through an accelerated procedure.

The offer comes at a time when Pakistan is trying to secure spot LNG supplies to address a growing energy shortfall. The country remains heavily reliant on imported gas while domestic output continues to decline and global LNG markets face renewed volatility because of tensions in the Middle East.

Supply concerns have intensified after fresh disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments. Officials in Pakistan’s Petroleum Division said imports of four LNG cargoes from Qatar had been suspended after Iran again shut the strait.

Pakistan State Oil, which had arranged the cargoes under two agreements with QatarEnergy, has informed the Petroleum Division that the shipments will remain on hold until the situation in the strait improves, officials said.

Pakistan had earlier sought four cargoes from a batch of eight to 10 loaded vessels stranded due to the conflict, hoping to secure delivery once the route reopened. However, the strait was closed again before the cargoes could move.

Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said earlier this week that QatarEnergy currently had eight to 10 loaded LNG vessels available and that Pakistan was attempting to secure as much short-term supply as possible.

Socar did not say whether Pakistan had already placed a request, when supplies could begin, or whether the cargoes would come from Azerbaijan’s own production or third-party sources.