The Bangladesh government has officially stated that no decision has been made to increase Bangladesh fuel prices, dismissing widespread rumours of an impending domestic shortage. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan addressed the media in Dhaka on Wednesday, confirming that national energy reserves remain stable despite ongoing geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East.
Addressing a press conference detailing government activity, Swapan acknowledged the global energy volatility triggered by the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. He noted that the disruption of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz has disproportionately affected nations reliant on energy imports. However, the minister assured the public that Bangladesh is not currently facing a fuel deficit, nor does the administration project a supply chain failure in the near term.
The minister confirmed that the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources is actively managing the domestic energy sector under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Swapan emphasised that retail fuel prices in Bangladesh remain lower than those in neighbouring countries, and no directive has been issued to adjust these rates upward.
He identified misinformation circulating across traditional and social media platforms as the primary catalyst for recent panic buying. The minister warned that this consumer behaviour is creating artificial pressure on the national fuel distribution network and urged media professionals to actively counter false narratives to prevent further hoarding.
This briefing followed a high-level executive intervention earlier on Wednesday morning. Tarique Rahman personally chaired a special meeting at the Cabinet Division office within the Bangladesh Secretariat to evaluate and strategise measures addressing the national fuel situation, underscoring the administration’s focus on maintaining energy security.
