Dr Ezazur-led syndicate controls nearly 80% of petroleum imports

A powerful syndicate in the country's petroleum import sector is alleged to control nearly 80% of the country’s fuel imports, according to industry sources.

At the centre of the network is Dr Ezazur Rahman, a medical doctor by profession, who is alleged to head the syndicate that has gained a strong foothold within the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) since 2009.

The group is accused of establishing influence over fuel transportation premiums and gradually extending its reach across official procedures, manpower arrangements and the supply chain, effectively functioning as a parallel system in the energy sector.

For the 2025–26 fiscal year (July–June), out of 27.10 lakh tonnes of petroleum oil awarded under government-to-government (G2G) and open tender arrangements, contracts for 18.40 lakh tonnes were secured through local agents owned by Dr Ezazur Rahman.

In the same fiscal year, out of 55.10 lakh tonnes of petroleum fuel awarded under G2G and open tender processes, six companies linked to Dr Ezazur Rahman reportedly secured contracts for 43 lakh tonnes, accounting for around 78% of total imports.

Originally from Chattogram, Dr Ezazur Rahman studied at Collegiate School in the port city and completed his MBBS from Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College. He began his career in a buying house before moving into shipping and later entering the fuel supply sector around 2009.

Journalist Zulkarnain Saer alleged in a Facebook post on Wednesday night that since 2009 Dr Ezazur developed under the patronage of influential leaders of the former Awami League government, including Sheikh Selim, Liton Chowdhury and Nasrul Hamid Bipu, and is now allegedly repaying them through regular monthly payments.

Denying the allegations, Dr Ezazur Rahman said there is no such thing as a “local agent” in the system.

“We are basically shipping agents. The ministry and BPC officials conduct G2G negotiation meetings. I do not participate in those meetings, neither now nor in the past,” he said.