Staff Correspondent

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to keep a sharp eye on the emerging situation in the Middle East following Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel.

She also asked them to take necessary preparations to face possible impacts, considering that some sectors of Bangladesh might be affected if this conflict continues for a long time.

The premier issued the directives during an unscheduled discussion at the Cabinet meeting. She chaired the meeting at her office here in the city.

Later, Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain briefed reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the afternoon after the meeting.

“The Prime Minister said all concerned should keep an eye on the reality that is emerging in the Middle East. All members of the cabinet and ministries concerned have been asked to keep a sharp eye on the emerging situation,” he said quoting the PM.

The ministries concerned were asked to prepare from right now for possible reactions to the conflict, he added.

“It has been asked to take preparation for how we will deal with the matters or what we can do in facing these things if the conflict continues for a long term,” said the Cabinet Secretary.

If the conflict turns long-term, then it would leave impacts in various sectors, and the authorities of the sectors concerned were asked to take plans to face the impacts.

In reply to a question about the sectors that might be affected, Mahbub said all were asked to take preparation in their respective sectors. “If a crisis is created, the price of fuel may go up. So, it was asked to make a plan for what should be done in that case,” he said.