Published : 23 Mar 2026, 10:35 PM
Updated : 28 Aug 2026, 01:33 AM
The prices of daily essentials, including oil, may soar due to the war in the Middle East, warns Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
He made the remarks at the inaugural ceremony of the Neha River re-excavation project in Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila on Monday morning.
Fakhrul said: “A major crisis has arisen. There is no oil. There is a war going on between Iran, and Israel and the US.
“That is why the supply of oil is low. That is why the coming days won’t be very good, brothers. There are difficult times ahead.”
The BNP secretary general also said: “This war is hurting us a lot. Oil prices will increase and so will the rates of daily essentials. We have to cope with these price hikes and move forward.”
Claiming that the BNP and the prime minister fulfilled their pledges, the minister took a dig at Jamaat-e-Islami.
“There are many leaders promising tickets to heaven! But they failed to ensure heaven [for voters]. This time, we will go to heaven through our work, Allah willing."
Describing 95 percent of the people of Bangladesh as religious, he said: “They love and respect religion. But they don't like business in the name of religion. We have to keep this in mind.”
Emphasising religious harmony, he thanked the Hindu community and urged them to set an example of peaceful coexistence.
“The soul of Bangladesh lies in this. Here is no division of religions – and this is rooted in my soul. We have to protect it. We don’t want it to be affected,” Fakhrul said.
On a separate note, he warned his party colleagues against any wrongdoing.
“I clearly say, ‘We’ll not forgive anybody even for a silly mistake. Those responsible will lose their posts in leadership and face legal action.”
