Is the Gas Crisis in Bangladesh a Result of Government Neglect?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
As Bangladesh grapples with a severe gas crisis, the Awami League points to government neglect under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus as the root cause. The party argues that what is being framed as a reform effort is actually a failure of governance, turning a manageable energy issue into a national emergency.
Key Takeaways
- Gas crisis in Bangladesh is linked to government neglect.
- Awami League criticizes the Yunus administration's failure to manage resources.
- Prior government effectively managed energy supply through proactive measures.
- Current leadership has not implemented necessary reforms.
- Energy access has become uncertain for consumers.
Dhaka, Jan 20 (NationPress) The Awami League claimed on Tuesday that the ongoing gas crisis in Bangladesh is a direct consequence of governmental neglect during the leadership of Muhammad Yunus. They argue that this critical public utility has fallen into disarray while the administration disguises its failures with talk of "reform".
The party highlighted that the current situation is not an abrupt shock, an unavoidable global fallout, or a mere supply issue. Instead, it is an "unmistakable governance failure" and yet another instance of "mismanagement" under the Yunus government.
According to the Awami League, "This crisis didn’t develop overnight. Bangladesh has previously faced more severe global energy disruptions and still managed to avert a system-wide collapse. Today, however, gas shortages endure even when consumers are ready to pay. LPG cylinders are disappearing from the markets despite ongoing imports, and the supply chains are evidently unmanaged. These are not signs of scarcity; they are indicators of administrative paralysis."
The party emphasized that this is fundamentally a leadership failure, not a resource failure. Under the prior government led by Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League effectively anticipated and managed scarcity through LNG imports, consistent LPG and CNG supplies, subsidies, and proactive state intervention. However, these practices have been neglected under Yunus’s administration.
"While the government loudly advocates for reform, it has failed at the simplest governance task: maintaining the country's functionality. The outcome is a worsening gas crisis that reveals how a manageable issue has escalated into a national emergency, one that could have been avoided," the Awami League asserted.
"The gas crisis has progressed from short-term disruption to systemic failure. Despite having the infrastructure and import pathways in place, the Yunus administration has not managed supply, regulated markets, or ensured continuity, turning energy access into daily uncertainty," they added.
The Awami League pointed out that since taking over in 2024, the Yunus-led interim government has not implemented any substantial reforms in gas procurement, restructuring LNG financing, or creating stabilization mechanisms for LPG and CNG markets, nor have they initiated domestic gas exploration expansion.
They criticized the supply planning as being ad hoc, neglected storage buffers, and weakened market oversight—precisely at a time when demand and vulnerability have surged.
"In practice, 'reform' has become a slogan used to obscure delays. While the government has talked about long-term transformation, it has failed at the immediate task of governance: securing energy, managing risk, and preventing system breakdown. The current gas crisis is not a transitional cost of reform; it is the cost of having none," the party concluded.
Point of View
The Awami League's assertion about the gas crisis sheds light on critical governance issues. The claims of mismanagement and inadequate leadership raise significant concerns about the administration's ability to handle public utilities effectively. This situation warrants close attention as it impacts not only the economy but also the daily lives of citizens across Bangladesh.
NationPress
20/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the gas crisis in Bangladesh?
The Awami League attributes the gas crisis to governmental neglect under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, claiming it is a failure of governance rather than a supply issue.
How has the previous government handled gas supply?
Under Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League managed gas supply effectively through LNG imports and subsidies, preventing energy crises even during global disruptions.
What has the Yunus administration done to address the crisis?
The Awami League criticizes the Yunus administration for failing to implement substantial reforms in gas procurement and market regulation since taking office in 2024.
What are the implications of this gas crisis?
The ongoing crisis has turned into a national emergency, leading to uncertainty in energy access for consumers and raising questions about the government's capacity to manage public utilities.
