Dhaka, March 9 – The Bangladeshi government has ordered the closure of universities across the country to conserve electricity and fuel, as the escalating conflict in the Middle East intensifies the global energy crisis, local media reported on Monday.
According to a directive issued by the Ministry of Education, the holidays will continue until the end of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, as outlined in the universities' academic calendars.
"To address the global crisis, it is necessary to save electricity and energy at the national level. For this, it is necessary to ensure that officials and employees in all public and private universities behave responsibly and efficiently in terms of electricity and energy," the directive from Bangladesh's Bengali daily, Prothom Alo, quoted as saying.
The Ministry of Education has also called for the implementation of 11 directives, including restricting the use of vehicles already allocated by the Cabinet Division, to conserve electricity and fuel.
The crisis stems from the conflict in the Middle East, which has escalated since February 28 after joint US-Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military facilities and killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel, US interests, and several Gulf states hosting American military bases.
According to a report in Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, as the conflict in the Middle East keeps global energy markets on edge, Bangladesh is beginning to experience its repercussions.
Over the weekend, the report said, fuel stations in Dhaka, Chattogram, and elsewhere were crowded by motorists rushing to purchase fuel amid fears of shortages.
"Long queues formed at many stations, with drivers waiting for hours to fill their tanks. The country relies heavily on imported energy, particularly fuel oils and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Middle East, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns about potential disruptions to supplies for transport, industry, and households," The Daily Star editorial stated.
"Around one-fifth of our crude oil imports pass through this vital route. Although most refined petroleum products are sourced from other Asian suppliers, uncertainty in global energy flows has increased consumer anxiety," it added.
