Jamaat condemns fresh fuel price hike

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern over the latest fuel price increase, describing it as an additional burden on people already struggling with the rising cost of living.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said the latest hike follows increases of 8%-12%, and in some cases even more, introduced last month.
He argued that repeated price adjustments had pushed essential commodities beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
Porwar said the increase came at a time when many people were facing unemployment and economic hardship, making it even more difficult to afford basic necessities. 
He accused the government of breaking its earlier assurance not to raise fuel prices this month and urged the authorities to reverse the decision immediately.
The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources announced the revised fuel prices in a notification issued on Sunday night, citing fluctuations in international markets. 
Under the new rates, diesel has been set at Tk115 per litre, octane at Tk145, petrol at Tk140 and kerosene at Tk135. The revised prices took effect on Monday.
In a separate reaction, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman criticised the decision, saying it was against the public interest. 
In a post on his verified Facebook page, he noted that fuel prices had already risen significantly last month, while incomes had remained stagnant and unemployment continued to increase.
He warned that any further increase ahead of the national budget would amount to a betrayal of public trust. 
Calling on citizens to stand up for their rights, he said that worsening law and order, combined with rising fuel and commodity prices, posed a serious challenge to the country and society.