The Bangladesh government has ordered the closure of universities nationwide to conserve electricity and fuel as the escalating West Asia conflict intensifies the global energy crisis. The directive from the Ministry of Education mandates holidays until the end of the Eid al-Fitr period as outlined in university academic calendars.
The ministry emphasized that all public and private university officials and employees must act responsibly to reduce energy consumption. According to the order, measures include limiting the use of government-assigned vehicles and adhering to an 11-point energy conservation directive.
Bangladesh’s energy crisis is directly linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which erupted on February 28 following joint US-Israeli strikes targeting Iranian military installations and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel, US assets, and Gulf states hosting American military bases, sending global energy markets into volatility.
The Ministry of Education’s directive noted the need to safeguard electricity and fuel at the national level amid rising uncertainty in global energy flows. “To deal with the global crisis, it is necessary to save electricity and energy at the national level. For this, officials and employees must act responsibly,” the government stated.
Bangladesh relies heavily on imported fuel oils and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Middle Eastern suppliers. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route, has triggered fears of shortages for transport, industry, and households. Media reports indicated that over the weekend, long queues formed at fuel stations in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other major cities as motorists rushed to fill tanks in anticipation of supply disruptions.
The Daily Star reported that roughly one-fifth of Bangladesh’s crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while most refined petroleum products are sourced from other Asian suppliers. Nevertheless, the ongoing tension in West Asia has heightened consumer anxiety and prompted the government to implement strict energy-saving measures.
Officials also highlighted the importance of coordinated energy management, urging university administrations to follow prescribed conservation steps to mitigate the impact on academic operations. The closure of universities is aimed at reducing electricity load and ensuring national energy reserves remain sufficient during the crisis.
Analysts note that the move reflects Bangladesh’s vulnerability to international energy disruptions and the importance of strategic energy planning. By limiting energy-intensive operations and managing fuel use, authorities aim to stabilize supply while safeguarding public services and infrastructure.
The government continues to monitor global developments and may extend or adjust restrictions depending on the ongoing conflict in West Asia and its impact on domestic energy availability.
