Prime Minister's Press Secretary and Spokesperson of Prime Minister's Office Abu Abdullah M Saleh spoke at the inaugural ceremony of the 'ERF Language Club' at the ERF auditorium in the capital today. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Sept 6, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister's Press Secretary and Spokesperson of Prime Minister's Office Abu Abdullah M Saleh today said the government wants to find a permanent solution to the country's gas crisis by reducing dependence on imported gas and increasing supplies from domestic sources.

"We want to find a permanent solution to the gas crisis. Instead of becoming fully dependent on imported gas, we want to collect gas from our own sources so that such problems do not arise in the future," he said.

The Press Secretary made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 'ERF Language Club' at the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) auditorium in the capital as the chief guest.

Abu Abdullah M Saleh said the current crises in gas, electricity and oil are closely interconnected.

"Gas, electricity and oil are like siblings. They are interconnected. When we need electricity, we also need gas," he said.

He said the sources from which Bangladesh used to procure gas are currently facing difficulties in supplying it due to the ongoing war.

The Press Secretary said the government does not want to make excuses and instead wants to take responsible steps to address the problems.

"The Prime Minister has said that we have come to take responsibility for running the government and we do not want to make any excuses," he said.

Referring to the energy crisis during the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Saleh said Bangladesh had to change office hours and keep schools closed on some days due to the fuel crisis.

"If a government that had been in power continuously since 2009 had to change office hours when the war broke out, this government, which has been in office for only six months, cannot be held responsible for all the problems of the past," he added.

He stressed the need for responsible behaviour to find permanent solutions to the country's problems.

On language skills, the press secretary said the government wants young people to learn three to four languages so that they can work for institutions anywhere in the world while staying in Bangladesh.

He urged the ERF to take the lead in organising language-learning programmes for its members.

He said technological advancement has made it possible to exchange information instantly from any part of the world, turning the once-unimaginable concept of a "global classroom" into reality.

"Therefore, learning multiple languages should be given priority to enable young people to participate fully in the global community," he said, stressing the need for cooperation from both public and private institutions to advance such initiatives.

ERF founding convener and The Financial Express Editor and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shamsul Haque Zahid said English should be given priority in daily reporting, while basic knowledge of Chinese, Japanese, French and other languages could help journalists communicate with foreign nationals living in Bangladesh.

Headman Academy Founder and CEO Md Imam Hossain welcomed the initiative, saying language learning becomes most effective when taught in an enjoyable manner.

He said the initiative to create opportunities for learning different languages would serve as an important platform for serving the country.

ERF President Daulat Akter Mala said the forum had been planning for a long time to establish a language club to provide its members with opportunities to practice different languages.

"Language skills make daily reporting easier and help journalists communicate with embassy officials and other foreigners," she said.

She added that the ERF was also working to seek cooperation from different embassies, if necessary, to create opportunities for learning multiple foreign languages.

ERF General Secretary Abul Kashem moderated the programme.