Pakistan, Nov. 1 -- Pakistan is heading towards a severe winter gas crunch as QatarEnergy has further extended its force majeure on LNG supplies until December 29, leaving the government struggling to secure additional cargoes amid soaring demand and tightening supply options, on Saturday.

The extension threatens to squeeze LNG availability during December and January, when household gas consumption peaks, raising the prospect of severe supply curtailments for the power sector, industries, fertiliser plants, cement factories and CNG stations.

"Yes, Qatar has extended its force majeure on LNG supplies until the end of December," Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Ali Pervaiz Malik confirmed to The News.

The government ...