Md Arfanul Hoque takes charge as Petrobangla chairman amid energy crunch
He officially joined the state-run corporation on 5 February following a government reshuffle aimed at streamlining leadership across key energy institutions.
Additional Secretary Md Arfanul Hoque has assumed office as the chairman of the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) at a time when the country is grappling with a severe gas supply crunch ahead of the peak summer season.
He officially joined the state-run corporation on 5 February following a government reshuffle aimed at streamlining leadership across key energy institutions.
A member of the 18th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) cadre, Hoque succeeds Md Rezanur Rahman, who has been reassigned as chairman of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC). Prior to his latest appointment, Hoque served in the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, giving him direct exposure to policy formulation and sectoral challenges.
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Hoque brings more than 27 years of experience in public administration, having joined government service in January 1999. Over the course of his career, he has served in a range of field and policy-level positions, including first-class magistrate, assistant commissioner (land) and upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).
He has also worked at several key ministries and divisions, including the Ministry of Education, ICT Division, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, and the Ministry of Public Administration.
His appointment comes at a critical juncture for the energy sector.
With summer approaching, gas demand is expected to rise sharply, intensifying pressure on an already strained system. According to Petrobangla estimates, current national gas demand stands at around 3,800 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), while supply remains stuck between 2,600 and 2,900 mmcfd.
