Jamaat Announces Protest Against Electricity Price Hike

PNN News Desk. Dhaka

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly criticized the government’s recent decision to increase electricity prices, calling it anti-people. The party demanded immediate withdrawal of the increased tariffs and also called for effective steps to control the rising prices of daily necessities.

The party announced nationwide protest programs, stating that demonstrations will be held in all metropolitan cities including Dhaka on Thursday. A central protest rally will be held in Dhaka at 5 PM at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

Recently, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced new electricity tariffs. According to the decision, prices have increased at both wholesale and retail levels, effective from June, affecting residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said in a statement that the price hike will further increase the cost of living for ordinary people. He added that people are already under pressure due to rising commodity prices, and electricity price hikes will increase production costs and further raise market prices.

He also warned that industries, agriculture, and businesses will be negatively affected, especially low- and middle-income groups.

The statement also highlighted issues of corruption, wastage, and financial mismanagement in the electricity sector, accusing authorities of increasing public burden without addressing these problems.

The party demanded a reconsideration of the decision and urged immediate steps to reduce public suffering, while calling for a more transparent, accountable, and people-friendly power sector.

The protest aims to pressure the government to withdraw the tariff hike and control inflation.