Dhaka, March 24 -- Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood says a sharp increase in demand for fuel after Eid has left petrol pumps running through a full day's supply in just three hours.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the first working day after the Eid holiday, Iqbal said the pressure on fuel stations had disrupted the normal supply cycle.

"Demand has suddenly risen so much that pumps which used to sell a full day's fuel are now running out of that same amount in three hours," he said.

"Naturally, fuel will be exhausted."

When asked how much demand there was over a full day, the minister said he did not have the figures with him.

He was speaking about the fuel supply strain linked to...