The government has not accepted a proposal from the opposition to form an expert panel to address the ongoing energy crisis, alleged Jatiya Sangsad Opposition Leader and Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman.

He claimed the country's industrial sector is suffering due to the energy and power crisis, and that the government has failed to take effective alternative measures even after six months.

Shafiqur Rahman made these remarks while exchanging views with journalists at Bogura Circuit House around 11am on Saturday.

Noting that the country is facing a crisis in gas, oil and energy supply, the opposition leader said, "We said in parliament that we want to take part in resolving this. We have an expert team. We proposed to the government that it form an expert panel in coordination with them, but there was no response."

He said the situation would not have become this complicated, had the government taken alternative measures in time. The opposition had wanted to cooperate with the government, but since that proposal was not accepted, Jamaat-e-Islami and other opposition parties were compelled to announce programmes such as long marches, he said.

Raising concerns over the power crisis as well, the Jamaat Ameer said the government had initially denied that a crisis existed. Yet the energy and power crisis is now having a negative impact on the economy, with the industrial sector particularly affected. He warned that if the energy supply crisis is prolonged, it could further disrupt production and deepen the impact on the economy.

Expressing frustration over industrialisation and development in Bogura, Shafiqur Rahman said the district is an important communications hub because of its geographic location and was once called a "mini industrial city." However, he said, 55 years after independence, the industrialisation the region deserved has still not taken place.

Earlier that morning, addressing people gathered at a local madrasa ground in Manikpotol, Dhunat upazila of Bogura, Shafiqur Rahman said the people of the country are not doing well, and neither is the country itself. He said the power and fertiliser crises have reached extreme levels, causing widespread suffering.

The opposition leader alleged that although they have tried to raise the people's grievances in parliament, the government is not allowing them to speak. He said this is why they have taken to the streets to secure the rights of the people.

Earlier in the morning, Shafiqur Rahman visited the grave of martyr Abdul Malek and exchanged views with members of his family.

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