{
  "id": 8013585,
  "title": "Energy disruption hits Pakistan and Bangladesh as Gulf crisis worsens",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/energy-disruption-hits-pakistan-and-bangladesh-as-gulf-crisis-worsens",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-17T11:03:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40439965/energy-disruption-hits-pakistan-and-bangladesh-as-gulf-crisis-worsens"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Energy disruptions are affecting Pakistan and Bangladesh due to a worsening Gulf crisis. In Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital, many families struggle with intermittent gas supply. Parvin Akter, a resident, often has to wait until midnight to cook her dinner, and even an induction cooker isn't a solution as power outages leave food half-cooked. Across the border in Pakistan, the government introduced a fuel subsidy on Wednesday to combat the sharp rise in fuel prices. However, the program is not functioning smoothly. Residents like Mohammad Musharraf in Karachi have faced difficulties registering their vehicles and mobile phones for the subsidy. The subsidy program seems more beneficial for literate individuals than those who are not.\n\nThe crisis began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran six months ago, disrupting oil and gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis further threatens trade through the Red Sea. This has led to increased demand for LNG in Pakistan, China, and India, with prices reaching $30 per million British thermal units this week, up from around $10 before the war. Shell estimates that the Middle East has lost around 36 million tons of LNG this year due to the shortage, particularly impacting countries with limited financial means to intervene.\n\nIn Bangladesh, the LNG shortage has resulted in blackouts and factory shutdowns. The country relies heavily on imported LNG for electricity, with more than 40% of its power sourced from this fuel. Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud reported that industrial growth is slowing down, and production is decreasing. The garment industry, Bangladesh's biggest export, has been hit hard with 55% of factories experiencing cancelled or reduced orders due to gas and power shortages since late August. This has led to production halts, with some factories having to source fabric from China and others paying extra expenses for air freight to meet deadlines. Businesses are forced to bear additional costs, such as the $50,000 spent by Fatullah Apparels Ltd. on air freight for hoodie jackets to a French buyer.\n\nThe strain on Pakistan's power grid is also evident, with officials trying to prevent a repeat of early business closures that occurred in April. Pakistan needs up to 400 million cubic feet of gas daily during winter, but only two LNG cargoes have been confirmed for September. Solar power has somewhat alleviated Pakistan's power crunch, but gas remains essential for other sectors and households. The Pakistani government has introduced a fuel relief scheme offering a 100 rupee (36 US cents) subsidy per liter on a capped monthly quota, but critics argue it is insufficient to alleviate the burden on the poor.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD/DHAKA: In Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, Parvin Akter times her cooking to the neighborhood’s availability of piped gas. With gas in intermittent supply as a result of a global energy crunch, she now sometimes has to wait until midnight to cook her dinner. Even switching to an induction cooker has not helped, as power outages often leave food half-cooked. More than 2,000 km (1,200…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn Business",
        "title": "Energy disruption hits Pakistan and Bangladesh as Gulf crisis worsens",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/energy-disruption-hits-pakistan-and-bangladesh-as-gulf-crisis-worsens-8040898",
        "published": "2026-09-17T14:53:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}