Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman today spoke at a weekly press briefing, held at the conference room of the PID. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Sept 1, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman today said the government is working on a long-term sustainable plan to address the ongoing power crisis and ease load-shedding across the country. 

"It will be possible to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the country's villages and cities within the next one and a half to two years through the establishment of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), domestic gas exploration, full operation of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and connection of Bhola gas to the national grid," he told a regular press briefing here. 

The weekly press briefing was held at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat this morning.

Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said the government is taking various initiatives to address the recent power crisis caused by energy shortages, mechanical malfunctions of power plants and increased demand resulting from the recent rise in economic activity. 

"We have moved away from the discriminatory system of imposing additional load-shedding on rural areas while keeping power supply uninterrupted to Dhaka and other big cities. Now, in line with the government's policy decision, the burden of temporary hardship is being distributed evenly between cities and villages," he said.

Highlighting a two-year target, the information adviser said it will take one and a half to two years to set up a new FSRU, which will increase LNG imports. 

In addition, he said, a Taka 500-crore project to bring Bhola gas to the national grid and work on digging and re-digging 150 wells by BAPEX are underway. 

Besides, the trial commissioning process of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will begin this September, Dr Zahed said, adding that it will supply electricity to the national grid at full capacity from next year. 

As a result, he said, the power sector will become more reliable, ensuring uninterrupted power supply than ever before in the next one and a half to two years.

Due to the Bangladesh government's continued diplomatic efforts, the adviser said, the Malaysian government has taken a policy decision to hire 10,000 new workers completely free of charge, including airfare. 

He said coming out of the recruiting syndicate formed during the fascist Hasina government, under a new decision, 312 more organisations have been allowed to operate as associate recruiting agencies in addition to the previously approved 25 main agencies.

Regarding the statistics of missing children in the country, Dr Zahed clarified that this is not a new crisis that has emerged overnight. 

Citing data, he said against 13,876 general diaries (GDs) in the June-December period of 2025, 15,717 GDs were recorded in the first seven months of 2026, which indicates a similar statistical trend. 

However, the government remains on high alert over every reported missing-child incident, he added.

About fertilizer storage, the information adviser said currently the country has a total stock of over 12 lakh 861 metric tonnes of fertilizer, including urea, TSP and DAP, while the amount was 12 lakh metric tonnes during the same period last year. 

Work is underway to remove irregularities in the supply or distribution system and deliver fertilizers to farmers in time, he said. 

Highlighting the importance of job and livelihood security for journalists, Dr Zahed said in addition to the implementation of the ninth wage board and initiating the process of forming the 10th wage board, the government will take immediate legal steps to ensure the rights and security of journalists by bringing television and online media under the same umbrella.

He said a specific guideline is being formulated under the Local Government Division to determine the mechanical specifications and routes of battery-powered rickshaws. 

A monthly allowance of Tk 3,000 has been included in the pay scale to cover the medical expenses and care of children with special needs, the adviser said. 

He said the laying of the foundation stone of the Laldia Container Terminal at Chittagong Port, with assistance from Denmark, will further strengthen the country's economy. 

Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting KM Abdul Wadud and Deputy-Principal Information Officer Fakhrul Islam were present at the briefing.