Comilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah on Thursday questioned the government in parliament over the ongoing fuel crisis, citing the shutdown of petrol pumps and long queues of vehicles across the country.
“Due to the fuel crisis, petrol pumps in different parts of the country are shutting down one after another. Long queues have formed on the roads for fuel. Can the minister not see?” he asked during the parliamentary session on April 2.
Raising the issue before Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood, Hasnat sought an explanation and solution to the situation.
He said: “What is supposed to happen is not happening. The pumps are gradually shutting down; pumps in Sylhet have also closed. Long queues of vehicles are being seen and not everyone is receiving the expected service. The government is avoiding the issue. Can the minister not see these long lines?”
In response, Iqbal said the required amount of fuel is being supplied to each pump every day. “However, after the Iran incident, sales have suddenly increased. As a result, the fuel that used to be sold out in a day or a day and a half is now being sold out in two hours,” he said.
“That is why queues are being seen due to panic buying. However, fuel supply is being made every day,” the minister added.