Jamaat protests fuel price hike, warns of inflation pressure

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly criticised the government’s recent decision to raise fuel prices, expressing concern over its potential economic and social impact.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s Secretary General and former lawmaker Mia Golam Parwar said the revised fuel rates would put additional pressure on the national economy and ordinary citizens.

Under the new pricing structure, diesel has gone up by Tk15 per litre, kerosene by Tk18, octane by Tk20, and petrol by Tk19, he noted.

Golam Parwar said such increases would have a ripple effect across the economy, particularly through higher transport costs, which would eventually push up the prices of essential commodities, including food items.

He warned that low- and middle-income groups would bear the brunt of the price hike as their earnings remain unchanged while living costs continue to rise.

The Jamaat leader also said the increase in fuel prices would raise production costs in industries, which could contribute to further inflationary pressure in the market.

Highlighting concerns in the agricultural sector, he added that higher costs for irrigation, transport and farm inputs would create additional strain on farmers and could affect food production and security.

Describing the decision as burdensome for the public, Golam Parwar said ordinary people are already struggling with rising living expenses, and the fuel price adjustment would worsen their situation.

He urged the government to reconsider the decision and bring fuel prices back to a more affordable level to ease public suffering.