Bangladesh's electricity crisis, sparked by the Persian Gulf war disrupting Qatari gas supplies, is forcing drastic measures like university closures and potential factory shutdowns. About half of Bangladesh's power comes from gas-fired plants, and nearly a third of that gas originates from Qatar. This supply crunch threatens the country's crucial garment export industry, which relies on consistent power for factories stitching clothing for global markets. The government has already canceled classes at major universities until late March to conserve electricity, highlighting the severity of the situation. 18,000 megawatts of peak demand is expected this summer, raising fears of widespread blackouts that could cripple industrial output.

The crisis exposes Bangladesh's economic vulnerability, heavily dependent on a single export sector and vulnerable to external energy shocks.