, April 4 -- Energy prices may have to be increased if the ongoing Middle East conflict becomes prolonged although such a move could trigger inflationary pressure, energy expert Prof Dr M Tamim said on Saturday.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a shadow parliament titled 'Energy crisis can be addressed through strengthening domestic system', organised by Debate for Democracy at the FDC in the capital.

Prof Tamim said Bangladesh has become vulnerable to global supply disruptions due to past policies that increased import dependency while neglecting domestic energy development.

He said before the Middle East crisis the country had fuel reserves for only two days , yet there was no panic, whereas now public anxiety...