State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday faced an oblique protest from the opposition in the Parliament for claiming that there is no energy crisis in the country.
During the question-and-answer session, Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mir Ahmad Binquasem (Dhaka-14) in his supplementary question said three people have already been killed in disputes related to fuel purchase in the country and asked what role the Prime Minister has played to address the situation.
He also criticised the Foreign Minister saying that he is traveling around the world and questioned what role the Foreign Minister plays in resolving the energy crisis.
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In response, state minister Shama Obaed said, “Currently, there is no energy crisis in Bangladesh.”
This remark triggered protest from the opposition bench lawmakers who reacted by thumping their desks with laughter in the House.
At this stage, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, who was presiding over the session, requested the opposition MPs to be calm and asked the state minister to continue her speech.
Shama Obaed said the Prime Minister sat with them on several occasions so that energy could be supplied from several alternative sources.
She said the government is working to diversify energy import sources beyond the Middle East and is exploring alternative supply channels to maintain stable fuel supply in the country.