Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded an immediate halt to all initiatives to place refined fuel oil imports, storage and marketing in private-sector hands. At an emergency press conference at Al-Falah auditorium in Maghbazar, Dhaka, on August 8, Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar presented the party’s six-point demands. The party called for publication of the draft policy and all related documents, followed by at least 60 days for public opinion.

Its demands include open hearings under a parliamentary standing committee involving opposition parties, CAB, CPD, university energy experts, labour federations and consumer representatives. Jamaat also sought reform of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, an independent audit, professional board appointments, mandatory e-GP in procurement and quarterly disclosure of import prices and volumes. It called for time-bound implementation of ERL-2 and expanded strategic storage capacity, as well as withdrawal of recommendations weakening legal protection for energy-sector workers.

Parwar said the party did not oppose a market economy or private investment, but opposed unaccountable transfers and expanded opportunities for corruption. He alleged the government was not publicly discussing the proposed policy. He also cited allegations by the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Workers Federation that plans were underway to transfer refined oil import, sales and marketing to the private sector.