Dhaka, Sept 4 (V7N) – BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said the ongoing gas and power crisis is not an internal failure of the government but rather an outcome of the global war between the USA and Iran, as he addressed concerns over the country's energy shortages.
Rizvi, also the Prime Minister's political adviser, made the remarks as chief guest at the coronation programme of the executive committee of Bangladesh Nrityashilpi Sangstha at Shilpakala Academy this evening.
He said the current energy crisis has been exacerbated by the Middle East conflict, which has disrupted global fuel supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Bangladesh has been heavily affected by the disruption in LNG supplies from Qatar—one of its major long-term suppliers—forcing the country to rely on expensive spot-market purchases, with LNG prices exceeding $24 per MMBtu compared to pre-war rates of $10-$12.
Addressing the long march announced by the opposition, Rizvi said they have the freedom to hold programmes and criticize the government constructively. He, however, cautioned that if the "ugly culture" of the past returns, the country will once again head toward darkness.
The remarks come as the government has been working to address the energy crisis, with the State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources expressing hope for significant improvement within the next two weeks, as efforts continue to normalize gas supply and bring power plants back to full operation. The government has also announced initiatives to expand solar power generation and upgrade the country's refining capacity to reduce dependence on imported fuel.
