'Country’s ongoing energy crisis can't be resolved unless Iran-US war to end'

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said the country’s ongoing energy crisis cannot be resolved unless the war between Iran and the United States comes to an end.

He made the remarks on Wednesday morning after placing wreaths and paying tribute at the graves of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia to mark the founding anniversary of the BNP’s women’s wing, Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal.

Rizvi said Ziaur Rahman believed in women’s leadership and participation in national development.

“Development cannot be complete without women’s participation in the country’s progress.''

Condemning attacks against women, the BNP leader said, “Those who attack women are cowards. The attack on Badhan is a heinous crime.”

He called for greater public vigilance to ensure women’s safety.

Rizvi also said women have rights under the government’s Family Card programme, giving them a greater role in managing their families.

He said education had been made free up to higher secondary level during Khaleda Zia’s tenure, while the government is now considering extending free education up to the undergraduate level.
Energy crisis a global issue

Speaking about rising commodity prices and the energy crisis, Rizvi said the government was trying to keep prices stable despite various challenges.

“However, the gas and energy crisis cannot be resolved unless the war between Iran and the United States ends,” he said.

He described the energy crisis as an international issue, saying no single country can resolve it on its own. However, he expressed hope that the country’s gas situation would gradually improve.

Rizvi said the government was prioritising public interests and importing thousands of cubic feet of gas to address the crisis. At the same time, he said, the government was taking necessary measures to contain market prices.

Although prices of various commodities have increased, he claimed that strict government measures helped keep inflation under control in August.

Rizvi also praised BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, saying he was working to take the country forward, particularly through what he described as “groundbreaking initiatives” in overseas employment.