The government has confirmed that the country currently holds sufficient fuel reserves, with plans underway to further increase the stockpile. Previously, national reserves were maintained at around fifteen days’ supply; this figure has now risen to approximately one month, according to Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Secretariat following a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday evening, Secretary Gani assured journalists that the current reserves are adequate. He clarified that the issue of fuel stocks was not on the official agenda of the Cabinet meeting, but was addressed in a separate session earlier in the morning focused specifically on the national energy situation.
Prime Minister Reviews Fuel Management
Secretary Gani explained that the Prime Minister personally reviewed all available governmental resources to assess the management of fuel reserves. “The Prime Minister examined how operations are being conducted, which tasks have progressed, what measures the ministry has undertaken, and the current state of affairs. He has reviewed the government’s capacity and ongoing efforts in this sector,” Gani said.
Regarding the public panic buying of fuel, he added that confidence among citizens is expected to stabilise within a few days, and that adequate reserves mean shortages are unlikely. When asked about the precise duration of the current reserves, Gani confirmed that it now stands at roughly one month, well above the previous fifteen-day standard. He also dismissed rumours of a forthcoming fuel price hike, stating that no such indications exist.
Cabinet Approves Draft Laws
During the meeting, the Cabinet approved the draft of five laws. These primarily formalise five of the 133 ordinances passed under the previous caretaker government into permanent legislation, in accordance with legal procedures. The approved drafts are:
| Draft Law | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty (Amendment) Act | Revisions to VAT and supplementary duties |
| Finance Act (Fiscal Year 2025–26) | Budgetary and fiscal provisions |
| Certain Finance (Amendment) (Fiscal Year 2025–26) Act | Amendments to financial regulations |
| Excise and Salt (Amendment) Act | Updates to excise duties and salt taxation |
| Certain Finance (Second Amendment) Act | Additional financial regulatory updates |
Secretary Gani emphasised that the government remains committed to maintaining national energy security while ensuring transparency and stability in the fuel sector. The ongoing measures are intended to strengthen public confidence and safeguard the economy from potential supply disruptions.
With reserves at record levels and proactive measures in place, officials assert that the country is well-prepared to meet fuel demand in the coming weeks.