Dhaka, July 31 (V7N) – The High Court of Bangladesh has issued a rule asking authorities to explain why the ongoing agreement process between Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) and a foreign company for the operation of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) should not be declared beyond legal authority.

The bench, consisting of Justice Habibul Gani and Justice Sheikh Tasmin Ali, passed the order on Wednesday following a public interest litigation filed by Mirza Walid Hossain, President of the Bangladesh Youth Economists Forum. The petition raised legal and procedural concerns over the handover of operations of one of the country's key maritime facilities to an overseas operator.

The court also asked why an open and competitive tender process, in accordance with existing laws and procurement policies, should not be made mandatory before awarding operational control of the NCT to any entity. Concern was raised that the current process bypasses transparency requirements and fails to ensure fair competition.

Senior Advocate Ahsanul Karim, who represented the petitioner, confirmed that the court instructed all relevant parties to respond to the rule within four weeks.

The NCT, a vital hub in Bangladesh’s containerized trade logistics, handles a significant portion of the country’s import and export traffic. Critics argue that leasing its operations to a foreign company without proper bidding could compromise national interests and operational autonomy.

The outcome of the court's directive could reshape policy frameworks for future public-private partnerships involving critical infrastructure.

END/KMD/SMA/