Prime Minister Tarique Rahman spoke during the Jatiya Sangsad session. Photo : PMO

SANGSAD BHABAN, July 15, 2026 (BSS)- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today warned that there would be no leniency for those involved in corruption related to projects at Chattogram Port, saying any wrongdoing would be investigated and those responsible to be brought to justice in accordance with the law.

"If there is any corruption in any project at Chattogram Port, it will be thoroughly investigated and the guilty person will certainly be prosecuted under the law," he said.

The premier made the remarks while responding to a supplementary question from opposition MP Mohammed Kamal Hossain from Dhaka-5, during the Prime Minister's question-answer period in House.

Kamal Hossain referred to allegations of widespread corruption surrounding a 2018 tender floated by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Chattogram Custom House for the procurement, operation and maintenance of four container scanners at Chattogram Port. He asked whether the government had taken any action, noting that legal proceedings over the allegations were still ongoing.

In response, the prime minister said Chattogram Port is a national asset and anyone found responsible for corruption—regardless of when it occurred—would be held accountable under the country's laws.

The BNP-led government would continue its efforts to ensure that public resources are not wasted and to gradually establish a transparent and corruption-free environment across all state institutions, he said.

Responding to a separate written question from treasury bench member Sarwar Jamal Nizam from Chattogram-13, the Prime Minister said the operational capacity of Chattogram Port has been increasing steadily despite various domestic and global challenges.

He said the port remained operational round the clock, even during the global economic slowdown and the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, cargo handling increased from 4 crore 53 lakh 96 thousand 663 metric tonnes and 13 lakh 43 thousand 448 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in 2010 to 13 crore 81 laklh 51 thousand 812 metric tonnes of cargo and 34 lakh 09 thousand 069 TEUs in 2025, he said.

Compared with the previous year, container handling, cargo handling and ship handling recorded growth of 4.07 percent, 11.43 percent and 10.5 percent respectively in 2025, he added.

The prime minister said the government has undertaken an integrated programme to further enhance the port's capacity through major infrastructure development projects.

The projects include the construction and operation of the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT), construction of the Laldia Container Terminal, and regular capital and maintenance dredging to maintain navigability.
Highlighting the port's digital transformation, Tarique Rahman said several digital services have already been introduced, including Online Port Community System, e-Delivery Order, e-Payment and automation initiatives.

He said the port's security system has also been strengthened in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

To facilitate faster and easier payment of port charges, an online payment system has been introduced, while e-Gate Passes have been launched to simplify vehicle entry into the port, he said.

As part of efforts to implement a paperless port, the CPA SKY and Port Single Window systems have also been introduced, he added.

The prime minister further said the government has initiated full automation of port operations and taken steps to procure seven container and cargo handling equipment during the 2025–26 fiscal year to reduce equipment shortages.

He said a work order has already been awarded for the procurement of three five-ton forklifts (RRC), while bids for two empty container handling forklifts and two 10-ton forklifts are currently under evaluation.

Earlier, the parliamentary proceeding resumed at 3pm with Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal in the chair.

As per the day's agenda, the first 30 minutes were allocated for the prime minister's question-answer session.
Of the seven starred questions listed for the prime minister, he answered three, along with related supplementary questions, during the allotted time.