A sudden rush for fuel gripped Sylhet city on Thursday night and Friday as rumors spread that global tensions in the Middle East could trigger a rise in fuel prices. Long queues formed at petrol pumps, with many buyers attempting to stock up on petrol, octane, and diesel. Some stations began rationing fuel, limiting sales to 200 taka per motorcycle. Dealers said the panic buying created an artificial shortage, though supplies remained adequate and normal distribution was expected to resume by Sunday.

Fuel traders and pump owners confirmed that the government had fixed prices for March—diesel at 100 taka, kerosene at 112, petrol at 116, and octane at 120 taka per liter—and no price increase was planned mid-month. They urged consumers not to crowd stations unnecessarily, noting that depots remain closed on weekends, which temporarily constrained supply.

Officials from the Sylhet division’s petrol pump owners’ association and the national petroleum dealers’ body reiterated that there was no actual shortage and appealed for patience until regular supply resumes.