Pakistan plans to ask Qatar to delay delivery of liquefied natural gas supply over the next five years as the South Asian country grapples with weak demand and mounting import costs.

Government officials are in Qatar this week to request a delay for delivery of two LNG shipments per month in 2026, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The deliveries would be rescheduled to after 2031, the people said. Pakistan imports about nine cargoes from Qatar per month.