•Bangladesh has paused plans to lease a major container terminal at Chattogram port to a foreign operator.
•The decision comes amid intensifying protests and an indefinite strike by dock workers ahead of the February 12 national election.
•Discussions on leasing the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based DP World were advanced but will now extend beyond the current interim government's tenure.
•The strike, protesting the proposed lease, severely disrupted vessel movements at the port, which handles 95% of Bangladesh's international trade.
•The High Court had previously ruled the contract between Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and DP World legal for the 25-year lease.
