Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh, also known as Saleh Shibly, has blamed Bangladesh’s dependence on imported gas for the country’s electricity shortages, accusing the previous Awami League government of failing to address the issue over its 17-year tenure.

“People are not getting electricity because of our dependence on imported gas. Fascism did nothing over the past 17 years. Instead, it plundered money in the name of importing gas,” he said while addressing a civic gathering as the chief guest at the Gobindapur High School grounds in Faridganj upazila of Chandpur on Sunday (23 August) afternoon.

The press secretary said the problem would be resolved soon under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

“If we reduce our dependence on imports in the future and produce gas from our own sources, there will be no more problems with electricity,” he said.

Shibly said the BNP understood the aspirations of the people and was already implementing plans to build a prosperous Bangladesh involving people from all religions, ethnicities and political viewpoints.

“There are separate plans for students, teachers, athletes, businessmen, farmers, doctors and people from all other professions,” he said.