Dismissing the recent statements of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed remarked, ‘What Hasina? Has her face even been seen? Occasionally, only some noises are heard. They are trying to create instability in Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh will never accept their kind of politics.’
He made these remarks while responding to journalists’ questions after laying the foundation stone for the new 500-bed building of Cox’s Bazar Medical College Hospital on Friday (August 7).
The Home Minister stated that the people of the country would no longer accept the politics of the Awami League. He further alleged that the party was attempting to create instability in the country. He emphasized that the public now desires development, stability, and security, hence any attempt to disrupt the country’s normal situation by creating chaos would not succeed.
Earlier in the morning, Salahuddin Ahmed participated in the inaugural ceremony of the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority (CDA)’s ‘Residential Flat Development Project-1’. There, he spoke about the potential of Cox’s Bazar in tourism, marine resources, the blue economy, environmental conservation, and marine education and research.
He stated that significant revenue could be generated by properly utilizing the country’s marine resources and seaports. The government is working on implementing various plans to harness the potential of the ‘Blue Economy’. He stressed the importance of integrating not just tourism or communication, but also fisheries, ports, energy, marine research, and other economic sectors with sea-based development.
Regarding Cox’s Bazar’s tourism potential, the Home Minister said that by combining planned development with environmental conservation, the district could be transformed into an international standard tourist destination. He added that tourism development is not achieved merely by constructing multi-storey buildings; rather, infrastructure must be built while preserving natural beauty and ecological balance.
Concerning Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs), he mentioned that various areas were arbitrarily declared ECAs in the past. Instructions have been given for a scientific re-evaluation of the actual situation in these areas to foster tourism development. However, he also highlighted the necessity of maintaining a balance between environmental conservation and development.
Salahuddin Ahmed further announced plans to establish a Marine University in Cox’s Bazar. He expressed hope that the university, once established, would create new opportunities for marine education, research, and skilled human resource development, playing a significant role in the growth of the country’s marine economy.
Later, he laid the foundation stone for the new 500-bed building of Cox’s Bazar Medical College Hospital. Members of Parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury (Ukhia-Teknaf constituency), Alamgir Mohammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid (Maheshkhali-Kutubdia constituency), reserved women’s seat MP Shamim Ara Swapna, along with relevant officials, were present at the event.
The concerned authorities expressed hope that the construction of the new building would further expand healthcare services in Cox’s Bazar. As a result, residents of the district, along with tourists and people from bordering areas, would have access to improved medical care.
