Govt, opposition team up on fuel crisis

These 10 individuals will be able to sit together and discuss the issues. If there are any suggestions, those will reach the government through this committee, and if the government finds any of them realistic, it will certainly take steps to implement them.

Tarique Rahman

The government has decided to form a 10-member parliamentary committee comprising ruling and opposition MPs to address the ongoing fuel situation.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday proposed the initiative in parliament, naming five representatives from the ruling side.

They are Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, State Minister for Energy Aninda Islam Amit, Lakshmipur-4 MP ABM Ashraf Uddin, Manikganj-2 MP Moinul Islam Khan, and Shariatpur-3 MP Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu.

He further proposed that Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan serve as chair of the committee.

The prime minister urged the opposition to nominate five members from their side.

“These 10 individuals will be able to sit together and discuss the issues. If there are any suggestions, those will reach the government through this committee, and if the government finds any of them realistic, it will certainly take steps to implement them,” he said.

Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman welcomed the move, thanking the PM for taking the matter positively. “We hope parliament will become the centre for resolving all national problems. This marks a new journey for the House, and we will soon submit names,” he said.

Later, Shafiqur proposed five opposition members for the committee. They are Jamaat-e-Islami MPs Saiful Alam (Dhaka-12), Abdul Baten (Dhaka-16), and Nurul Islam (Chapainawabganj-3); NCP MP Hasnat Abdullah (Cumilla-4); and Khelafat Majlis MP Mohammed Abul Hasan (Sylhet-5).

Bangladesh has been facing fuel shortages since the US-Israel war on Iran started disrupting global supply chains. While long queues at fuel pumps have eased, power cuts due to a lack of fuel have intensified.

The opposition leader had earlier called for a “common committee” of government and opposition MPs to tackle the crisis. On Wednesday, parliament held a discussion on the issue as an urgent public matter.

During the discussion, Shafiqur said the opposition was ready to sit with an open heart and present proposals, but stressed it was the government’s responsibility to implement them.

In response, Tarique said the government would consider the proposal to form a committee. “The issue we discussed today is undoubtedly an important one. It’s not only crucial for Bangladesh; considering global politics and realities, it is of great importance for the world,” he said.