Info minister blames previous regime’s policies for ongoing energy crisis

Information and Broadcasting Minister M Zahir Uddin Swapan today blamed the policies of the previous autocratic government for the ongoing energy crisis in the country.

“The crisis could have largely been avoided if domestic gas production had been increased,” he said while inaugurating a vaccination campaign at the Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex in Barishal this morning.

Despite having sufficient gas reserves, the former administration failed to take effective initiatives to extract them and increased dependence on imported energy which led to the present crisis, he added.

The minister said the global situation has further intensified the crisis, particularly citing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, which have placed pressure on energy supply.

Highlighting the need for structural reforms, Swapan said that without reforming the state and political systems, it would not be possible to steer the country out of the ongoing challenges.

Speaking about the role of the media, he said ensuring public service is its primary responsibility and stressed that there should be no barrier to the free flow of information.

He said that BNP is pursuing politics not merely for power, but to serve the people. He also reiterated the party’s commitment to reforming what he described as a weak state structure.

Officials from various government departments, political leaders and members of civil society were present at the event.