Lower RLNG consumption and a sharp decline in general industry demand drove the reduction, while fertiliser and commercial use remained stable.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s total gas consumption, including regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG), declined by around 6.8 percent during the first nine months of fiscal year 2025-26, mainly due to lower demand from the general industry and power sectors, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2026.
Data compiled by the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) showed that total gas consumption fell to 2,929 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) during July-March FY2026 from 3,143 MMCFD in the corresponding period of FY2025.
RLNG Consumption Drops Sharply
The decline was largely driven by a substantial reduction in RLNG consumption.
Conventional gas consumption decreased slightly to 2,316 MMCFD from 2,345 MMCFD a year earlier. In contrast, RLNG consumption dropped from 798 MMCFD to 613 MMCFD, a reduction of 185 MMCFD.
The figures indicate that reduced reliance on imported gas played a significant role in the overall decline in Pakistan’s gas consumption during the period.
General Industry Records Largest Decline
The general industry sector recorded the most significant reduction in gas consumption.
Its total consumption fell to 382 MMCFD during July-March FY2026 from 536 MMCFD in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
This represented a decline of 154 MMCFD, or around 28.7 percent, making general industry the largest contributor to the overall reduction in gas demand.
Power Sector Consumption Also Falls
The power sector’s total gas consumption declined from 973 MMCFD to 924 MMCFD during the period under review.
However, the composition of its gas use changed significantly. Conventional gas consumption increased from 477 MMCFD to 519 MMCFD, while RLNG consumption fell from 496 MMCFD to 405 MMCFD.
The figures suggest that power producers relied more heavily on domestic conventional gas while reducing their consumption of RLNG.
Domestic Consumption Remains Stable
Household or domestic gas consumption remained broadly stable during the nine-month period.
Total domestic consumption edged down to 772 MMCFD from 777 MMCFD a year earlier.
Conventional gas consumption declined from 776 MMCFD to 769 MMCFD, while RLNG consumption increased slightly from 1 MMCFD to 3 MMCFD.
The relatively small change indicates that domestic demand remained largely stable despite the broader decline in gas consumption.
Fertiliser Sector Maintains Consumption
Gas consumption by the fertiliser sector remained unchanged at 764 MMCFD during July-March FY2026.
However, there was a modest shift in the composition of its supply. Conventional gas consumption increased from 690 MMCFD to 695 MMCFD, while RLNG consumption declined from 74 MMCFD to 69 MMCFD.
The sector therefore maintained its overall gas usage while relying slightly more on conventional domestic supplies.
Commercial Consumption Unchanged
Gas consumption in the commercial sector also remained unchanged at 38 MMCFD.
The sector used 33 MMCFD of conventional gas and 5 MMCFD of RLNG in both July-March FY2025 and FY2026.
This stability contrasts with the sharp reduction recorded in the general industry and power sectors.
Transport Sector Consumption Declines
The transport sector, mainly comprising compressed natural gas (CNG), recorded a decline in gas consumption from 55 MMCFD to 49 MMCFD.
Conventional gas consumption decreased from 47 MMCFD to 40 MMCFD, while RLNG consumption increased marginally from 8 MMCFD to 9 MMCFD.
The overall reduction reflects continued weakness in gas demand from the transport sector.
Lower RLNG Use Drives Overall Reduction
The latest data show that the decline in Pakistan’s gas consumption during July-March FY2026 was primarily driven by lower RLNG use and significantly weaker demand from general industry.
The power sector also reduced its overall consumption, although its use of conventional domestic gas increased.
Meanwhile, domestic, fertiliser and commercial-sector consumption remained relatively stable.
The figures highlight the changing composition of Pakistan’s gas demand, with consumers increasingly relying on domestic conventional supplies while RLNG consumption has fallen substantially during the first nine months of FY2026.