Hefazat and Jamaat Oppose Chattogram Port Lease to Foreign Entities

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh and Jamaat-e-Islami have strongly opposed the interim government's decision to lease key container terminals of the Chattogram Port to foreign entities, issuing separate statements that cite threats to national security, economic independence, and regional security.

The interim government signed two agreements to hand over the Laldia terminal in Chattogram and the Pangaon inland terminal in Dhaka to foreign operators. This marks the country's first long-term lease of major port facilities to overseas companies.

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) issued a Letter of Award to APM Terminals and its local partner QNS Container Services Ltd to design, build, and operate the Laldia Container Terminal for 30 years.

Hefazat Ameer Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Sajedur Rahman released a statement (Nov 17) condemning the arrangement: They called the Chattogram Port the "lifeblood of Bangladesh's sovereignty and economic power" and labeled the transfer of its management to a foreign entity a "clear threat against the interests of the state" and a risk to national security.

The group warned the step would cause "long-term damage to the country's future, economic independence, and regional security." Hefazat demanded that port decisions be made with "complete transparency, respect for public trust, and strict state control," rejecting any attempt to "hand over national assets through secret discussions or agreements."

They concluded by stating that "No laxity, compromise, or foreign pressure is acceptable" and expressed readiness to launch "mass movements if necessary" to protect the port.

Chattogram Metropolitan Jamaat Ameer Muhammad Nazrul Islam issued a separate statement with specific political allegations: He alleged that the interim government had "finalised the arrangement to hand over ownership of the port to the accomplices of the deposed dictator" and claimed responsibility was given to foreign nationals with "no minimal involvement with the July Revolution."

Nazrul Islam claimed the arrangements would "impose the dominance of the deposed dictator and the banned Awami League in the port sector." He made specific claims linking the lease arrangements to Awami League figures: A close relative of Sheikh Hasina is allegedly associated with APM Terminals (Laldia Char operator). Awami leader Saber Hossain Chowdhury is claimed to be the local agent for the Swiss company contracting the Pangaon Terminal and the local partner for DP World (operator of the New Mooring Container Terminal). He concluded with a warning to the interim government, stating that "If they betray the July martyrs, Yunus will have to face the judgment of history."