Dhaka, March 14 -- The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners' Association (BPPOA) on Saturday urged the government to allow capable private sector traders to import fuel immediately to resolve what they described as a severe, "man-made" supply crisis across the country.

In a statement signed by the association's convener, Syed Sajjadul Karim, the organization claimed that the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources are implementing an "unrealistic" rationing process.

The association warned that these policies are exposing the new government to intense public criticism.

The BPPOA alleged that several BPC officials, including the chairman, have misled the Energy Secretary by providing false ...