Iran approved safe passage for six Bangladeshi fuel-carrying ships through the Hormuz Strait based on information provided by Bangladesh. However, five of those shipments have already been canceled by global suppliers. Petrobangla officials said the list sent to Tehran was prepared using outdated plans and documents that did not account for force majeure declarations by QatarEnergy and Oman’s OQ Trading. Both companies suspended all supplies in early March following the start of the Iran war.

The energy division’s list had included five LNG cargoes scheduled for April—four from QatarEnergy and one from Excelerate Energy. Petrobangla Chairman Arfanul Haque confirmed that these shipments are no longer valid, as suppliers extended their suspensions until at least May 8. He questioned why the canceled shipments were still listed for Iranian clearance.

An energy division official admitted that the outdated data was sent because the duration of the force majeure was unknown. The division’s joint secretary, Monir Hossain Chowdhury, said crude oil shipments were unaffected and that Petrobangla was instructed to explore whether LNG deliveries could still proceed.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has increased the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for April, raising the cost of a 12-kilogram cylinder by Tk 387. The new price, announced on Thursday, April 2, 2026, sets the 12kg cylinder at Tk 1,728, up from the previous Tk 1,341. The adjustment applies to all cylinder sizes, with corresponding new rates published by the regulator.

According to the BERC announcement, the revised prices include Tk 792 for a 5.5kg cylinder, Tk 1,801 for a 12.5kg cylinder, Tk 2,161 for a 15kg cylinder, Tk 2,305 for a 16kg cylinder, Tk 2,593 for an 18kg cylinder, and Tk 2,881 for a 20kg cylinder. Larger cylinders now range from Tk 3,169 for 22kg to Tk 6,428 for 45kg. Additionally, the consumer price of autogas has been set at Tk 79.77 per liter, inclusive of VAT.

The new rates take effect immediately for April, reflecting BERC’s monthly price adjustment mechanism for LPG products in the domestic market.

Malaysia will introduce a work-from-home policy for government agencies, government-linked organizations, and state-related companies starting April 15, as part of efforts to address the global energy crisis. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the decision during a briefing, noting that detailed implementation guidelines will be released soon. He emphasized that the measure is part of a broader strategy to safeguard national energy security and protect citizens from sudden price hikes.

The government decided to act preemptively rather than wait for the impact of ongoing Middle East conflicts on households and businesses. The initiative falls under the country’s “Public Support Initiative.” Anwar warned that the global situation may worsen before improving and that recovery could take time. Malaysia has already implemented several measures, including a monthly fuel quota of 200 liters under the “Budi Madani 95” program and full implementation of subsidized diesel in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.

According to the prime minister, these steps aim to reduce the impact of rising international oil prices and ensure subsidies reach intended beneficiaries. The government currently spends about 4 billion ringgit per month to manage fuel price pressures and protect consumers.

Transport drivers and workers blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway on Thursday morning after failing to obtain fuel despite waiting in line. The protest began around 10:30 a.m. when they felled trees to obstruct the road near several petrol pumps in Sunamganj, causing severe traffic congestion and passenger suffering. Police later intervened, assuring that the pumps would reopen within an hour, leading the protesters to withdraw the blockade and restore traffic flow.

At the Mallikpur Cynthia Filling Station, the counters were closed and no staff were present, forcing many drivers to wait or leave without fuel. Similar conditions were reported at Balaka and Shafeda filling stations. Although there was no gas shortage, the blockade disrupted gas supply to vehicles as well.

Drivers expressed frustration over the sudden closure of pumps without notice, saying it affected their daily income and ability to repay vehicle loans. Police officials confirmed discussions with pump owners, who promised to resume operations shortly.

Bangladesh’s Joint Secretary and spokesperson of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Monir Hossain Chowdhury, announced that the country will face no fuel shortage in April. He made the statement at a press conference held at the Secretariat on April 2, where he said Bangladesh remains secure in its energy supply for the month.

Chowdhury explained that one of six ships recently released by Iran through the Strait of Hormuz carries crude oil, and its arrival will ensure uninterrupted operation at the Eastern Refinery. He also reported that from March 3 to the present, authorities have recovered 372,388 liters of fuel oil through nationwide drives, including 25,537 liters recovered on April 1.

The official’s assurance comes as part of the government’s ongoing monitoring and recovery efforts to maintain fuel stability across the country during April.

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has announced that all shops, commercial establishments, and shopping malls across the country, including the capital Dhaka, will close by 8 PM each night. The decision, disclosed in a statement on April 2, 2026, aims to support government efforts to conserve electricity and fuel amid the ongoing international energy crisis. Hotels, pharmacies, essential service stores, and fresh markets are exempt from the directive.

The association said the decision followed a joint meeting of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association and the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners Association’s standing committee. Earlier, on March 15, a meeting chaired by the State Minister for Power was held with shop owners and market representatives, where traders pledged to reduce decorative lighting by 40 percent in exchange for uninterrupted power supply.

The government is also considering additional measures such as extending weekly holidays, promoting remote work, and adjusting school schedules to manage energy demand more effectively.

A severe fuel shortage has hit Rangpur, mirroring conditions across Bangladesh, with long queues forming at petrol pumps as motorists and residents wait for petrol, octane, and diesel. Many people were seen carrying bottles and jerrycans to collect fuel, while pump owners, workers, and administrative staff struggled to manage the crowds. Local reports indicate that several pumps have limited supply, forcing some to buy fuel at higher prices in the open market.

Consumers and pump workers alleged that a syndicate is deliberately creating an artificial crisis to sell fuel at inflated prices. They claimed that large quantities of petrol, octane, and diesel are being hoarded in brick kilns and sold illegally. Some transport owners said that despite adequate reserves at depots, distribution has been restricted. A pump owners’ association leader alleged that influential individuals are forcibly taking fuel from pumps and reselling it at higher rates.

District Commissioner Enamul Ahsan stated that magistrate-led drives are ongoing to identify and penalize those hiding fuel stocks. According to official data, 85 pumps in the district held limited petrol, octane, and kerosene reserves, but no diesel stock remained.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report shows that the government borrowed Tk 985.26 billion from the banking sector between July 2025 and March 19, 2026, equivalent to 94.73 percent of its annual target of Tk 1.04 trillion. The sharp rise in borrowing stems from a major shortfall in revenue collection, with the National Board of Revenue reporting a Tk 714.72 billion deficit in customs and tax receipts during the first eight months of the fiscal year.

Officials and analysts attribute the increased borrowing to rising government expenditure, including election-related costs, subsidies in the energy sector, and higher operating expenses. Former Bangladesh Bank chief economist Dr. Mustafa K Mujeri noted that the government has already borrowed nearly 95 percent of its target with over three months remaining in the fiscal year, raising concerns that borrowing may exceed planned limits.

Mujeri warned that continued reliance on bank loans to finance spending could pose risks to the economy. He emphasized the need for stronger revenue generation, policy reforms, and job creation to reduce dependence on debt and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.

Authorities in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar conducted a drive on Wednesday night, April 1, 2026, against three filling stations accused of hoarding fuel while displaying ‘no fuel’ signs. The operation, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Md. Mahmudur Rahman Sayem under the supervision of Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rifat Asma, resulted in four cases and fines totaling Tk 235,000.

According to the upazila administration, irregularities were found during monitoring of fuel supply. At Kutupalong’s Messrs Chowdhury Filling Station Ltd, 300 milliliters less fuel per 10 liters was being dispensed, leading to a Tk 75,000 fine. Yusuf and Brothers Filling Station in Palongkhali was fined Tk 50,000 for concealing information and hoarding 5,000 liters of diesel. Another Chowdhury Filling Station in Morichya was fined Tk 110,000 in two cases for excess fuel storage and meter reading faults.

Officials said such drives will continue to protect consumer interests and ensure fair fuel distribution. The UNO warned that artificial shortages and under-measurement would not be tolerated.

The United States has agreed to positively consider Bangladesh’s request for a special waiver to import refined diesel and other petroleum products from Russia. The assurance was given by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright to Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman during a meeting in Washington. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 1.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Rahman discussed Bangladesh’s energy supply challenges caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war. He requested a special exemption from the United States to allow direct imports of refined fuel from Russia. The report noted that Bangladesh had previously sent a similar request to Washington through an official letter.

The statement did not specify when a final decision might be made or what conditions could apply to the potential waiver.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that the government is committed to elevating farmers to the highest social status, describing the new Farmer Card as a recognition of their dignity. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the Ministry of Agriculture in Dhaka during an inter-ministerial meeting marking the launch of the pre-pilot distribution of the Farmer Card.

The minister stated that a strong agricultural economy ensures a strong national economy, noting that 70 percent of the population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture. Through the Farmer Card, all farmers will be brought under a unified system, helping to organize the agricultural sector. The initiative aims to address mismatches between production and demand and reduce crop wastage. The card will include data on land size, soil health, acidity, crop demand, and production, ensuring fair prices for farmers.

He instructed officials to complete the Farmer Card work properly in 11 blocks across 11 upazilas. Representatives from various ministries and field administration officials joined the meeting, some participating online.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that an additional 30,000 families will be brought under the Family Card program within the remaining three months of the current fiscal year. He made the statement during the question-and-answer session in the national parliament, marking his first appearance in that format as prime minister. The program, launched on March 10 across 15 wards in 13 districts, has already provided allowances to 37,814 women-headed families.

Rahman explained that the Family Card will be issued in the name of the female head of each household, aiming to strengthen women’s control over family assets. The initiative is designed to ensure that financial assistance is used directly for food, nutrition, healthcare, and education, while also enhancing women’s decision-making power and social status. The government plans to expand the program to cover 40 million families within the next four years.

During the session, the prime minister also stated that the government would take steps to recover laundered money, describing it as the people’s trust and a national responsibility to bring it back.

A vessel named MV MP Ultra Max 2 carrying 61,000 tons of wheat from the United States has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port under a cash purchase agreement signed within a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, according to a Food Ministry press release issued on Wednesday.

Earlier, Bangladesh received 58,457 tons and 62,150 tons of wheat in the first and second shipments under government-to-government (G2G) agreements. Sampling of the newly arrived wheat has already begun, and arrangements for quick unloading are underway. Of the total shipment, 29,450 tons will be unloaded at Chattogram Port and 31,550 tons at Mongla Port.

Under the G2G-01 and G2G-02 agreements, Bangladesh has so far imported a total of 467,884 tons of wheat from the United States. The country’s annual wheat demand is around 7 million tons, while domestic production stands at about 1 million tons, with the remainder imported by both public and private sectors.

The government of Bangladesh is considering extending weekly holidays for public sector employees as part of energy-saving measures. The move comes amid fuel supply challenges caused by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. A decision on the proposal is expected to be made at the cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2026.

According to the report, the energy sector is struggling to manage the situation with limited fuel reserves as new supplies have declined. To cope with the pressure, the government is exploring cost-saving strategies, including reducing energy consumption through extended holidays. The cabinet will also decide whether to introduce three days of online classes per week in educational institutions.

If approved, the measures would represent a short-term response to the energy strain, aiming to reduce fuel use across government offices and schools.

A rare scene unfolded in Munshiganj’s Tongibari upazila on April 1 when a man transported his motorcycle on a van to a filling station amid a fuel shortage. The incident occurred at Messrs K Ali Filling Station in Sonarang area, where long queues of motorcyclists were waiting for fuel. The man, identified as Imran Hossain, brought his motorcycle by van after running out of fuel on the way to Kalibari. Unfortunately, the station’s fuel ran out just as he arrived.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam of Tongibari Police Station intervened after noticing the situation and arranged 200 taka worth of fuel for Imran through special consideration. The filling station owner, Shahidul Islam, said fuel supply had resumed only the previous evening after a week-long halt, leading to heavy demand and long queues. Each motorcycle was being given a maximum of 200 taka worth of fuel.

The owner added that despite official claims of no fuel crisis, actual supply remained insufficient, worsening the situation for both sellers and consumers.