At the center of this shift is Azerbaijan a country with vast natural gas reserves, estimated at around 1.3 trillion cubic meters, anchored by major fields such as Shah Deniz. These resources have long positioned Azerbaijan as a key energy supplier in the wider Eurasian region.
Under a 2025 framework agreement between Pakistan and Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR Trading, discussions are underway to secure LNG supplies that could support Pakistan’s growing energy demand.
Pakistan currently requires around 400 mmcfd of LNG for its power sector a gap that has often strained electricity generation and fuel planning. Officials believe diversified supply routes could help ease that pressure over time. But the real significance of the move is not just about volume it is about direction.
For years, Pakistan’s LNG imports have been heavily linked to supply chains passing through geopolitically sensitive waters, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption in that corridor has raised concerns over price spikes and supply uncertainty.
Azerbaijan offers a different pathway one that connects Pakistan to energy flows through alternative international corridors, reducing reliance on high risk maritime routes.
This does not eliminate all risks or instantly solve Pakistan’s energy challenges. Instead, it signals a shift in strategy, from dependence on a narrow set of suppliers to building a more flexible and layered energy network.
In simple terms, Pakistan is not just buying gas، it is buying options. And in today’s volatile energy landscape, options are often worth more than certainty.
