Opposition leader alleges fuel crisis cover-up after parliament rejects debate motion

The opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, on Monday accused the government of misrepresenting the country’s fuel and gas situation after parliament rejected his adjournment motion seeking an urgent debate on the crisis.

Raising the issue in the National Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur described the energy shortage as the country’s most pressing problem and said official statements bore little resemblance to conditions on the ground. 

He told lawmakers that while ministers were insisting there was no shortage of fuel, people outside parliament were struggling to buy oil and gas, with frustration mounting across the country.

The motion was placed during a sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal. It was submitted under parliamentary Rule 62 by Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and separately by Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Nurul Islam of Chapainawabganj-3, both calling for discussion on the nationwide fuel shortage and its impact on electricity generation, industry and public life. 

The deputy speaker rejected both notices under Rule 63, saying the matter could still be discussed under other parliamentary procedures without suspending the ongoing debate on the president’s address.

Dr. Shafiqur said parliament exists to represent the people and that failing to discuss their hardship at such a critical moment would undermine that responsibility. 

"Every second of parliament is funded by taxpayers," he said, adding that lawmakers had been sent there by the public to speak on their behalf, not for personal reasons. If the suffering of the people cannot be raised in parliament, he argued, then the institution loses its purpose.

He also questioned the government’s claim that there was no shortage, pointing to emergency energy-saving measures as evidence of a real problem. 

Dr. Shafiqur cited the recent decision to run High Court proceedings virtually for two days to save fuel, saying such steps would not have been necessary if supplies were normal. There is no crisis inside parliament, the crisis is outside, he said.

At the same time, Dr. Shafiqur acknowledged that the pressure on energy supply was part of a wider global problem linked to war and international instability. 

He said the opposition was not seeking to blame the government alone, but wanted a meaningful parliamentary discussion to help ease the situation and explore solutions collectively.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed responded by saying the issue was important and worthy of debate, but argued that suspending the house was unnecessary. 

He said the government had already presented statistics showing there was no shortage of fuel or gas, and that a modest price increase had been introduced to restore discipline in the market and curb waste or smuggling. 

He suggested that the matter could instead be discussed under Rule 71 or Rule 68, which allow ministerial statements and shorter debates on urgent public issues.

The deputy speaker echoed that view, saying parliament could still hold an extended discussion without formally adjourning business. 

Dr. Shafiqur later agreed to submit a fresh notice and pressed for a substantive debate in the presence of the leader of the house. 

The deputy speaker said parliament would take effective steps to ensure a meaningful discussion.