Mohammad Selim Uddin, ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka North unit and a Dhaka North City Corporation mayoral candidate, warned that Petrobangla would be surrounded if gas prices are not reduced. He made the statement on Monday afternoon at a rally before a protest march outside Uttara Rajuk College in the capital. The event, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Uttara region, protested the gas crisis, rising commodity prices and called for implementation of the referendum’s public verdict.

Selim Uddin also demanded lower electricity prices and an end to hidden charges in electricity bills, saying these measures would bring relief to people’s lives. He said eliminating corruption completely could produce positive changes in the economy and public life. He reiterated calls for lower gas and electricity costs and withdrawal of additional charges to reduce hardship for city residents.

He urged the BNP government to fully implement the July Charter rather than keeping it confined to words, warning of consequences otherwise. He alleged the government was not taking effective steps to implement the spirit of July. He called on party leaders and activists to gather at Paltan at 10 a.m. on August 5, which he described as 36 July and the “Victory Day of Second Independence.” The march ended on Jasimuddin Road.