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Published : 18 Feb 2026, 05:48 PM
Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud has ordered uninterrupted power supply during Ramadan to ensure that citizens can observe the month’s rituals without disruption.
Speaking at his Secretariat office on Wednesday, the newly sworn-in minister issued the directive just a day after the BNP formed the government with an absolute majority.
“The sector we are in and the timing of our arrival are critical, as Ramadan starts tomorrow [Thursday]. Since everything depends on power, I am counting on you to ensure there are no disruptions,” said the minister.
The spirit should be to manage power supply with minimum outages, which may occur only due to technical issues, he said.
Outlining his own work at the ministry, he said he is there to carry on the works that were planned.
“We want to leave Bangladesh at the hands of an administration that will protect Bangladesh. As my prime minister said, ‘Bangladesh first’,” he said.
He demanded full cooperation of his colleagues.
He was previously elected from the Sirajganj-2 constituency in 1986 and 1988 as a Jatiya Party candidate.
Winning the same seat in 2001 on a BNP ticket, he took charge as the state minister for power.
During the final tenure of the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami alliance, he was reassigned as the state minister for agriculture.
He added, “We cannot predict how long this conflict will continue.
“I have urged the public to use the reserves judiciously, and we have already begun implementing rationing measures.”
Reaffirming that the government maintains sufficient fuel stocks, the minister cautioned against drawing from the reserves prematurely, stressing that supplies should be preserved until the incoming fuel shipments arrive in Bangladesh.
NO POWER PRICE HIKE, NO CONFUSION
Iqbal also addressed rumours circulating about a potential increase in electricity tariffs amid the fuel shortage caused by the Iran conflict.
“I want to assure everyone that there will be no rise in power tariffs,” he said, while warning against panic-driven hoarding of fuel.
The minister called on his party members and citizens alike to remain vigilant, ensuring that fuel is not siphoned off for smuggling or diverted to the black market.
