The national Parliament on Monday saw heated exchanges as MPs questioned the government over fuel supply, citing shortages at petrol pumps despite official assurances of adequate reserves.
While the government maintained that the country has sufficient fuel stock, several lawmakers described difficulties faced by people in different areas in obtaining petrol and octane. Ministers also addressed a range of issues during the sitting, including law and order, constitutional reform, the Rohingya crisis, the rural economy and foreign investment.
The first sitting of the 13th Parliament resumed at 3:30pm on Monday, chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, and began with a recitation from the Holy Quran.
MPs raise fuel supply concerns
Speaking under Rule 71 on a two-minute urgent public importance notice, Kurigram-1 MP Md Anwarul Islam said fuel shortages were evident in several areas.
“Even today, after visiting several petrol pumps, I could not get fuel for my car. One can easily imagine how much hardship ordinary people are facing,” he said.
Supporting his remarks, Satkhira-4 MP GM Nazrul Islam said petrol and octane were also unavailable at pumps in his constituency.
He alleged that in many cases, although petrol pumps claim to have no fuel, it is being sold outside in bottles at higher prices, causing severe harassment for motorcyclists and ordinary people.
‘Not a shortage, but excessive stockpiling’
However, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, in a statement under Rule 300, said there is no fuel shortage in the country, attributing pressure in some areas to excessive stockpiling.
He said that when the government assumed office, the country had around 206,000 metric tons of diesel in reserve, which increased to about 218,000 metric tons by March 30. During the same period, around 482,000 metric tons of diesel were sold, yet reserves still increased.
According to the minister, fuel supply in March this year was 10% to 25% higher than in the same month last year. However, despite demand not increasing significantly, the tendency to purchase excess fuel has led to long queues in many areas.
He noted that while an average filling station sold about 5,400 liters of octane daily in March 2025, the figure rose to around 10,620 liters in March 2026—an increase of nearly 96%.
The minister also said that 3,168 drives were conducted to prevent illegal hoarding and smuggling, resulting in 53 cases, fines totaling nearly Tk7.5 million and imprisonment for 16 individuals. Authorities also seized about 208,000 liters of fuel.
He added that steps have been taken to import 50,000 metric tons of octane in April, along with plans to collect another 30,000 metric tons from domestic sources.
Despite rising international prices, the government has not increased domestic fuel prices, he said. Currently, the actual cost of diesel is about Tk198 per liter, but it is being sold at Tk100. The government may need to provide around Tk16,045 crore in subsidies for diesel and octane combined during the March–June quarter.
Government assures supply
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said fuel supply in the country has not been disrupted despite the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
She said initiatives have been taken to import fuel from various international sources, and efforts are underway to diversify supply channels. Bangladesh missions are also working round the clock to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi citizens in the affected regions.
Discussion on constitutional reform
The House has allocated two hours on March 31 to discuss the “July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025.”
The decision followed an adjournment motion brought by Opposition Leader Dr Md Shafiqul Rahman. Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman described the proposal as logical and timely and supported holding a discussion on the issue.
‘Mob culture will not be tolerated’
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said “mob culture” will not be allowed in the country and that programs such as road blockades in the name of pressing demands will no longer be permitted.
He said demands must be presented through democratic processes and that the government remains firm in maintaining law and order.
He also said the government is committed to ensuring legal and constitutional protection for those who participated in the July mass uprising.
Plans to strengthen the rural economy
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said strengthening the rural economy and improving living standards remain top priorities for the government.
He said many projects taken by the previous government have seen limited progress and are now under review. The government plans to adopt more practical initiatives focusing on rural infrastructure development.
Initiatives for Rohingya repatriation
Speaking on the Rohingya crisis, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said the government will take effective initiatives for repatriation despite ongoing instability and ethnic conflict in Myanmar. In his absence, the related question was answered during the question-answer session by State Minister Shama Obaed Islam.
She said Bangladesh continues to pursue diplomatic efforts at various international forums to resolve the crisis.
The government is prioritizing safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation as a sustainable solution, she said.
Recalling past experiences, she said around 200,000 Rohingyas entered Bangladesh in 1978 and were later repatriated through a bilateral agreement with Myanmar under the leadership of President Ziaur Rahman. Later, in 1992, about 250,000 Rohingyas took refuge in Bangladesh, and around 236,000 of them were repatriated through a bilateral agreement during the tenure of then prime minister Khaleda Zia.
She added that the government is working to strengthen international cooperation, intensify diplomatic efforts and coordinate with relevant countries and organizations to ensure a sustainable solution.
The minister also said the Rohingya issue is not only Bangladesh’s problem but a regional and international humanitarian crisis, requiring more active global involvement. The government hopes that increased international pressure and coordinated diplomatic efforts will facilitate the safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas.
Session adjourned
At the end of the day’s business, the deputy speaker adjourned the House until 3:30pm on Tuesday (March 31).