United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Wednesday said the government may consider adjusting fuel prices if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East prolongs. Addressing a press briefing at the Press Information Department in the Secretariat, he also warned that action will be taken against those responsible for failure to prevent deaths from measles and that mob violence will not be tolerated at all. “It is not certain yet. The situation in the Middle East could deteriorate or it could improve through negotiations. Tensions involving shipping routes and Iran could negatively impact the global energy market if the situation persists for a prolonged period. If this continues for long, it will be difficult to maintain subsidies indefinitely,” Zahed said. Any decision on fuel price adjustment would depend on the evolving global situation, he added. Clarifying that there will be no fuel price hike in April, the adviser said, “We have already said if the situation continues, some adjustments in prices may be necessary. I am saying it may be necessary — not that it will definitely happen,” he said, urging the media not to misinterpret his remarks. He said temporary disruptions to the country’s lone state-owned refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited, have created some pressure.   The refinery typically supplies around 25% of the country’s fuel demand, particularly petrol and octane. “The delayed arrival of a 1,00,000-tonne fuel shipment from Saudi Arabia has further strained the situation. Another shipment is expected to arrive in early May,” Zahed said. The government has taken measures by increasing imports of refined fuel and building up reserves to address any potential crisis, he said, adding that the issue has also been discussed in a high-level meeting with the Prime Minister. Acknowledging the signs of strain at the consumer level with long queues seen at petrol pumps in Dhaka and other areas, the adviser said vehicles were seen purchasing fuel multiple times or in excess of their immediate needs, adding pressure to the supply system. He said although supply to petrol pumps has not been reduced, stocks are depleting quickly due to unusually high demand. “Detailed pump-wise supply data will be published soon.” Talking about measles, which continues to claim the lives of children in the country, Zahed vowed strict accountability, warning that those responsible for failures in preventing deaths from such diseases will face action. He said every death linked to preventable diseases is being thoroughly investigated, as authorities work to contain the outbreak and prevent further fatalities. The adviser noted that the current measles situation will not improve overnight, as immunity takes time to develop after vaccination. The nationwide immunisation drive, which began on April 5, is ongoing, but immediate results are unlikely, he said. Zahed acknowledged gaps in vaccine coverage in parts of the country, describing the situation as a result of past failures, but stressed that such deaths are unacceptable. “No child should die from a preventable disease,” he said, adding that hospitals are trying their best to support infected patients despite resource constraints, particularly limited ICU facilities. Asked whether action will be taken against the former health adviser to the immediate past interim government for failure, Zahed said every negative incident is being seriously investigated to identify causes and prevent recurrence, warning that failure in such cases is “unforgivable.” He also highlighted the government’s focus on preventive healthcare, including strengthening vaccination programmes and raising public awareness, to bring mortality from preventable diseases close to zero. Talking about mob violence, the adviser said the government is treating recent incidents of mob violence with utmost seriousness and will investigate each case thoroughly, stressing that taking the law into one’s own hand will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Responding to questions from journalists, he said even if a thief or robber is caught red-handed, people have no right to assault, let alone kill, the suspect. “The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy in this regard.” The adviser acknowledged that there may have been administrative lapses in some cases, saying those are being reviewed to prevent recurrence. Explaining the nature of such incidents, Zahed said mobs are usually spontaneous and unorganised, but recently there has been a worrying trend of organised gatherings being mobilised to carry out attacks or blockades. “These are not mobs in the true sense, but organised crimes,” he said, adding that action will also be taken against such planned violence. He cited the recent incident of Kushtia, where a self-proclaimed ‘Pir’ was beaten and hacked to death over derogatory remarks about Islam, as an example of a planned act. “A case has already been filed over the incident and suspects have been identified.” The adviser said the government will move forward on cases where there is clear social consensus, adding that authorities are willing to review incidents carried out in the name of mob action during the interim government period. Responding to a question about the recent arrest of a female worker of a political party over a social media post, he said the post contained misleading and objectionable information. However, Zahed admitted that greater caution and clearer guidelines are needed in making arrests. He said the government is planning to form a panel of lawyers to review such cases before arrests are made to ensure proper verification. The adviser also expressed concern over the spread of misinformation and hate speech on social media.