Dhaka, April 16 -- Amid an ongoing global energy crunch, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on citizens to exercise restraint in fuel consumption, urging moderation from state ceremonies to household use.

Speaking on Thursday at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium during the Independence Award ceremony, the premier said the government was working to keep the situation stable despite mounting external pressures.

Citing the impact of the global crisis, he said fuel prices had risen across the world, but the government had refrained from increasing domestic prices to ease public hardship.

"Even though fuel prices have gone up in all countries, this government has not raised prices to avoid public suffering. We are trying to maintain stab...