TBM Report
State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, stated on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) that the country can maintain its energy supply until the end of March if strict conservation measures are followed. During an emergency press conference at the Secretariat, the Minister warned that the global energy crisis has surpassed the severity of the Russia-Ukraine war, making power generation an uphill task.
Despite the grim outlook, the Minister assured the public that there would be no power outages during Iftar, Taraweeh, and Sahri. “Fuel supply has slowed down globally, and we are struggling to secure additional energy from the open market,” Tuku explained. He emphasized that load shedding, while inevitable, would be managed to remain “tolerable.” To mitigate the shortage, the government plans to implement gas rationing across various sectors and urged citizens to avoid unnecessary lighting in shopping malls.
A significant portion of the briefing focused on the sudden spike in diesel sales in border districts. The Minister revealed concerns regarding diesel smuggling to neighboring countries due to price disparities. District Commissioners (DCs) and law enforcement agencies have been placed on high alert to prevent illegal outflows. “If necessary, we will introduce a rationing system for diesel sales in border areas to ensure domestic stability,” the Minister added. A formal circular detailing energy-saving protocols is expected to be issued soon.
