No decision on raising fuel prices: Information minister

No decision has been taken on rising fuel prices, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan.

During a press conference held to brief the media on the activities on the government today (25 March), he added, “There is no shortage of fuel in the country, nor do we think we will face a shortage.”

Following the disruption at the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israel war with Iran, a fuel crisis arose across the world, especially in countries which depend on imports for energy generation, said the minister.

He said, the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources minister and state minister on the direction of the prime minister are handling the situation and have not given any directive to raise prices. Even the prices in Bangladesh are lower than neighbouring countries.

However, due to misinformation being spread on traditional media and social media panic buying has begun in the country. This is creating pressure on the government, said the minister.

He urged the media personnel to raise awareness against panic buying.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a special meeting on ‘measures to address the fuel situation’ in the country. 

The premier himself chaired the meeting at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here this morning, said sources at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).