Summary:
- Nine prominent figures, including former ministers, have been arrested in connection with five new cases filed in Dhaka, involving charges from attempted murder to involvement in political violence.
- Anisul Huq, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and Sadek Khan face charges related to an alleged attack on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s motorcade in 2015.
- The Bangladesh Power Development Board could save $1.2 billion annually by implementing energy sector reforms focusing on renewable energy and reducing distribution losses.
- The IEEFA report suggests modernizing the electricity grid and reducing reliance on fossil fuels to alleviate the subsidy burden and ensure sustainable energy supply.
In a significant legal development, a Dhaka court has ordered the arrest of nine prominent individuals, including former ministers Anisul Huq, Hasanul Haque Inu, Rashed Khan Menon, and Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The arrests are part of five new cases filed across different police stations in the capital city of Bangladesh. The other individuals arrested include former National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Nozibur Rahman, former lawmaker Sadek Khan, Awami League leaders Rokeya Jaman and Jamal Mostofa, and former constable Shoaibur Rahman.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Imran Ahammed issued the arrest orders after the police presented the accused in court, requesting their arrest in connection with these cases. The charges against them vary significantly. Anisul Huq, Palak, and Sadek Khan face charges related to an alleged murder attempt during an attack on the motorcade of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in 2015. Meanwhile, Hasanul Haque Inu and Menon have been implicated in a separate case filed with Shahbagh Police Station. Nozibur Rahman has been linked to the killing of BNP activist Mokbul, while Rokeya Jaman and Jamal Mostofa are involved in the case concerning the murder of Jubo Dal leader Shamim. Shoaibur Rahman is charged in connection with the Jibon murder case at Paltan Police Station.
This legal action comes amid heightened political tensions and follows a series of remands and arrests related to various incidents over recent years. Anisul Huq was previously detained on charges related to the killing of Fazlul Karim during a mass uprising earlier this year. This case underscores ongoing political volatility in Bangladesh as authorities continue to address past incidents involving high-profile figures.
In another development concerning Bangladesh’s energy sector, a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) highlights potential reforms that could save the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) approximately $1.2 billion annually. The report suggests that by shifting industrial demand from captive generators to the national grid, adding 3,000 megawatts of renewable energy, and reducing load shedding to 5%, significant financial savings could be achieved. These measures are critical as BPDB grapples with overcapacity issues and substantial government subsidies aimed at maintaining power supply.
The IEEFA report emphasizes modernizing Bangladesh’s electricity grid and reducing reliance on fossil fuels while promoting renewable energy sources. By implementing these reforms, BPDB could reduce its subsidy burden significantly by 2030. The report also projects that Bangladesh’s peak power demand will reach 25,834 megawatts by 2030, necessitating strategic planning and investment to meet future energy needs sustainably.
These developments reflect Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to address both political challenges and economic sustainability within its energy sector, highlighting the complex interplay between governance and infrastructure development in the country.
Source: TBS News
