Pakistan has announced a one-month period of free travel on government-run public transport across the country, including the capital and the most populous province. The decision was made after widespread protests erupted following a sharp rise in fuel prices driven by the ongoing Iran-related war situation. The announcement came on Friday, shortly after the government raised petrol prices by 42.7 percent to 485 rupees per liter, triggering public anger and long queues at petrol stations.

According to The Guardian, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif later partially reversed the decision the same night, reducing petrol prices to 378 rupees per liter by cutting fuel taxes. In a televised address, he said the new price would remain in effect for at least one month and pledged to continue efforts to stabilize daily life. However, diesel prices were not reduced and now stand at 520 rupees per liter, a 54.9 percent increase from previous levels.

The temporary free transport measure aims to ease public hardship while the government works to manage the economic fallout from the fuel crisis.

The BSCIC industrial estate in Srimangal, Moulvibazar, built at a cost of about Tk 50 crore, has remained unused for six years since its completion in 2019. Despite having 122 plots and full infrastructure including administrative and residential buildings, pump house, dumping yard, and pond, no industrial plant has started operations. The site has turned into a jungle, with key installations and equipment stolen due to neglect and lack of maintenance.

The project began in 2012 on 20 acres of land in Uttarsur area to promote industrialization. However, electricity, gas, and water connections are now largely nonfunctional. Local sources report theft of gas substation parts, transformers, and metal fittings. Entrepreneurs cite high plot prices, poor services, and administrative complications as major deterrents. One investor, Shamim Akter Hossain of Do Impex Ltd, said he suffered financial losses after returning a plot without full refund.

BSCIC officials claim new plots are being allocated under conditions requiring factories within two years, and inactive owners have been notified. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated that higher authorities have been informed and some work has already resumed.

A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll found that 56 percent of Americans believe the ongoing war with Iran will negatively affect the U.S. economy. The survey, conducted from March 27 to 29 across the United States, included responses from 1,021 participants. Only 7 percent thought the war would have a positive impact, while 12 percent expected no effect. About 25 percent did not answer the question.

The poll also revealed widespread concern for U.S. military personnel, with 86 percent of respondents expressing worry about the safety of service members involved in the conflict. In addition, 52 percent said they believe the U.S. military operation will worsen stability in the Middle East, while 21 percent expect conditions to improve.

The findings highlight growing public anxiety over both economic and security consequences of the U.S. military campaign in Iran, reflecting skepticism about its potential to bring regional stability.

Bangladesh Bank has provided Tk 2,721 crore in short-term liquidity support to the newly formed Sammilit Islami Bank, created through the merger of five struggling Islamic banks. The three-month loan was issued after deposit withdrawals surged during merger discussions, forcing the central bank to inject funds. The merged institutions include First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank.

According to official data, EXIM Bank received the largest share of Tk 1,564 crore, followed by Social Islami Bank with Tk 482 crore, First Security Islami Bank with Tk 416 crore, Union Bank with Tk 161 crore, and Global Islami Bank with Tk 98 crore. The merged bank has an authorized capital of Tk 40,000 crore and paid-up capital of Tk 35,000 crore, with the government contributing Tk 20,000 crore. Around 7.8 million depositors are being compensated through an insurance fund totaling Tk 12,000 crore.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman recently directed administrators to recover embezzled funds by April through foreign legal assistance. As of December, the merged banks held Tk 196,827 crore in total loans, with 84.23 percent classified as non-performing.

Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the United States declined by 8.53 percent in January and February 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to data from the US Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA). Both the average unit price and export volume dropped, by 2.47 percent and 6.21 percent respectively, leading to an overall contraction in export earnings.

Analysts attribute the decline to a broader downturn in US apparel imports, which fell 13.47 percent due to high inflation and interest rates reducing consumer purchasing power. While Bangladesh’s exports shrank, Vietnam and Cambodia recorded growth of 2.86 percent and 18.43 percent respectively, intensifying competition in the US market. Industry observers noted that these countries benefited from faster production capacity expansion, product diversification, and favorable labor and trade policies.

Despite the challenges, China’s apparel exports to the US plunged 57.65 percent during the same period, creating potential opportunities for Bangladesh. Exporters and the BGMEA emphasized the need to enhance competitiveness through cost control, efficiency, infrastructure improvement, and policy support to sustain market share and capitalize on emerging prospects.

Authorities in Patuakhali’s Mohipur area have distributed 27,000 liters of additional diesel to local fishermen to support their livelihoods and ensure fishing operations in the Bay of Bengal before an upcoming government ban. The distribution took place on Saturday, April 4, through two filling stations at the Mohipur–Alipur fish port. The supply was managed by acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Yasin Sadek, with fuel provided by Jamuna and Meghna Petroleum companies.

Under this special arrangement, around 70 small, medium, and large trawlers received 400, 600, and 1,000 liters of diesel respectively, based on their needs. The initiative comes ahead of a 58-day government fishing ban starting April 15. While the supply brought relief to fishermen and trawler owners, many said it was still insufficient compared to their actual requirements, as large trawlers typically need 700–800 liters for a 15–16 day trip.

Local leaders and fishing association representatives welcomed the move, calling it a commendable step to support the marine economy and fishermen’s livelihoods. Officials also indicated that additional fuel could be provided if necessary.

Farmers in India’s Punjab state are expressing deep concern over a looming fertilizer shortage that could threaten crop yields. The disruption stems from the Iran–US conflict that began after a joint American–Israeli strike on Iran on February 28, leading Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz. The closure has disrupted global energy supplies, creating a gas shortage that has forced India to cut gas supply to fertilizer plants by 30 percent.

Agriculture experts warn that the conflict is already straining India’s fertilizer supply chain, particularly for urea, a nitrogen-based fertilizer central to the country’s farming. Although most urea is domestically produced, its production depends on imported natural gas. Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and other key grain-producing states fear that shortages during the upcoming kharif season could reduce yields of rice and cotton. The government insists that fertilizer plants are operating normally and that buffer stocks are higher than last year.

Despite official assurances, anxiety persists among small farmers already burdened by debt and losses. Observers note that prolonged supply disruptions could mirror Sri Lanka’s past fertilizer crisis, which severely affected its agriculture sector.

Bangladesh has established its first Private Sector Advisory Council, comprising nine leading industrialists from the country’s top private enterprises. The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) announced the formation on Saturday, stating that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman created the council to enhance structured engagement between the government and business leaders. The council includes chairpersons and managing directors from major groups such as ACI, Apex Footwear, Runner, Pran-RFL, Bay, Incepta, DBL, Rangs, and Pacific Jeans.

The council’s inaugural meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday morning, chaired by the Prime Minister. Senior ministers and officials, including the finance, energy, and commerce ministers, as well as the BIDA chairman, attended. Members welcomed the initiative, praising the government’s openness to collaboration with the private sector to foster a more business-friendly environment.

According to BIDA’s executive chairman, the council represents a key reform aimed at creating a structured mechanism for private sector input at the highest level of government decision-making.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, has called on business leaders across the country to cooperate in implementing government decisions aimed at conserving electricity during the summer and irrigation season. He made the appeal on Saturday afternoon during a meeting with representatives of business organizations held at the Bijoy Hall of the Power Building in Dhaka.

The minister stated that the decision will initially be in effect for three months, with the possibility of adjustment before Eid-ul-Azha following discussions with business stakeholders. Business leaders assured their compliance with the government’s directives and presented several recommendations and demands. The minister requested temporary cooperation and promised to discuss their proposals further.

He added that government institutions have already taken various initiatives under cabinet decisions to ensure uninterrupted power supply and energy conservation during the peak summer and irrigation period. The meeting was also attended by the State Minister for Textiles and Jute, Md. Shariful Alam, and the State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Anindya Islam Amit.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the import of 500,000 tons of refined diesel from Kazakhstan and two cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Singapore to meet urgent energy demands arising from the Middle East conflict. The approval was granted on Saturday, April 4, during an online meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. The information was confirmed by Siraj Uddoula Khan, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Finance.

The meeting reviewed three proposals for importing 1.6 million tons of diesel and 100,000 tons of petrol. Among these, the committee approved the direct purchase of high-speed diesel from Kazakhstan’s Kazakh Gas Processing Plant LLP and LNG from Aramco Trading Singapore Pte Ltd. Other proposals, including imports from UAE-based DBS Trading House FZCO and Oman-based Maxwell International SPC, were withdrawn by the Energy Division after receiving approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

The decision reflects the government’s effort to secure energy supplies through direct procurement to address immediate fuel shortages caused by regional instability.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that business leaders have demanded an uninterrupted energy supply and government support for renewable energy initiatives. He made the remarks on Saturday, April 4, after the first meeting of the Private Sector Development Advisory Council held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

According to the minister, the ongoing war in Iran has created an energy crisis that is putting pressure on Bangladesh’s economy. Business representatives also called for the introduction of e-visas for foreign travelers to facilitate easier entry for investors. They emphasized lowering bank interest rates, reforming the National Board of Revenue, and expanding the tax base instead of burdening specific business groups.

The minister added that entrepreneurs urged simplification of licensing procedures to encourage medium-sized exporters and called for the launch of a deep-sea port to accelerate trade and import-export activities.

The first meeting of the Private Sector Development Advisory Council was held in Dhaka under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. During the three-and-a-half-hour discussion, business leaders demanded assurance of uninterrupted energy supply to sustain industrial operations and investment growth. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury briefed reporters after the meeting, noting that the session aimed to strengthen the investment climate and address existing industrial challenges.

According to the finance minister, business representatives also sought government support for renewable energy initiatives, introduction of e-visas for foreign investors, lower bank interest rates, and reforms in the National Board of Revenue to expand the tax base without burdening specific sectors. They further called for easier licensing for medium entrepreneurs, faster trade processes, and the activation of a deep-sea port to boost exports.

Discussions also covered reopening closed factories and reviving dormant government projects. The prime minister listened to the business community’s concerns, and notes were taken for follow-up action to resolve pending issues through continued dialogue.

A delegation from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The meeting was confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Roni. Discussions focused on how the government and AIIB would collaborate on future initiatives.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that the talks covered cooperation on resolving the country’s energy crisis and advancing development investments. He added that the AIIB agreed to provide budgetary support to help Bangladesh address current economic pressures related to development and energy challenges. The meeting also included discussions on potential collaboration for infrastructure improvement.

The assurance of budget support from AIIB is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s fiscal capacity and facilitate progress in key infrastructure and energy sectors, according to the discussions reported from the meeting.

An oil tanker named 'Shan Gang Fa Jian' carrying more than 34,000 tons of diesel from Malaysia has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port. The vessel anchored off Kutubdia coast on Saturday morning and is scheduled to unload its cargo at the Dolphin Jetty on Sunday, according to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) public relations officer Farzin Hasan Moumita.

Nazrul Islam, managing partner of the vessel’s local agent Pride Shipping Lines, said that about five to six thousand tons of diesel will be unloaded offshore through lightering using at least two smaller tankers in two phases. Another tanker from Singapore carrying 27,300 tons of diesel began unloading at Dolphin Jetty on Friday and is expected to leave the port on Sunday.

Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim stated that oil and gas vessels are being given priority berthing to address the ongoing fuel shortage. BPC sources added that new import initiatives from various countries are underway to maintain stable fuel supply.

The Bangladesh government has taken a major initiative to modernize and expand the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The process of purchasing 14 new Boeing aircraft is in its final stage, with policy approval already granted and only the signing of the agreement remaining. Due to the long delivery timeline, the government is also planning to lease Airbus aircraft as an interim solution.

According to the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, the proposed Boeing deal, worth about 3.7 billion dollars, may include Dreamliner models such as the Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 MAX for regional routes. Delivery of these aircraft could take up to five years, prompting the government to consider dry leasing Airbus planes for the next five years. Discussions with the European manufacturer are ongoing.

Currently, Biman operates around 14 aircraft on international routes, though at least 30 to 35 are needed to meet demand. The government has also initiated reforms to address operational inefficiencies and staff shortages, aiming to transform Biman into an internationally competitive airline.