Dhaka, March 12 -- Fuel traders say the pressure on Bangladesh's fuel supply, particularly petrol and octane, is not driven by the crisis in the Middle East but rather by flawed government management and what they describe as "erroneous" calculations.

At a press conference held at a Dhanmondi restaurant on Thursday, the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealer's, Distributor's, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners' Association demanded the immediate withdrawal of petrol and octane rationing to restore stability to the market.

The association argued that the decision to limit fuel sales was unnecessary and served only to ignite public anxiety.

Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, the association's convenor, pointed out that a significant portion of the country's pet...