Jamaat-e-Islami today criticised the government’s move to allow private companies to import and market refined fuel, calling it a potential “new avenue for plunder”.

At a press conference at the party’s central office in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said the proposed policy would replace the state monopoly with a private one dominated by a handful of powerful business groups.

He claimed the Energy and Mineral Resources Division was drafting a policy allowing private companies to import, store, transport, distribute and market refined fuel. He added that officials were asked to prepare the draft within four days.

“This is not reform; it is a handover. It is a licence for corruption and plunder,” he said.

Porwar argued that private fuel imports would not necessarily increase competition because the business requires deep-sea port facilities, storage terminals, pipelines and substantial financial capacity, which only a few major groups possess.

He also rejected criticism of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), saying it made profits of Tk 3,943 crore in FY2023-24 and Tk 2,050 crore in FY2024-25, after losses in the previous two fiscal years.

Porwar expressed concern over the government’s decision to reduce the tendering period for refined fuel imports for September-December this year from 42 days to 10 days.

He warned that the shorter window could discourage international suppliers, reduce competition and create opportunities for syndicates.

He also questioned private-sector control of fuel, a strategic commodity vital to agriculture, power generation, transport, aviation and national security.

Jamaat demanded an immediate halt to the proposed policy, publication of all related documents and at least 60 days of public consultation.

The party also called for BPC reforms, including an independent audit, professional appointments to its board, mandatory e-GP procurement and quarterly disclosure of fuel import prices and volumes.

It demanded faster implementation of Eastern Refinery’s second unit, increased strategic fuel storage and withdrawal of proposals to curtail legal protection for fuel-sector workers.

Porwar said Jamaat was not opposed to private investment but opposed transferring public resources without accountability.

Jamaat MP from Pabna-1 Nazibur Rahman Momen and Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, among others, were present at the press conference.