Health Minister Nasim flays Khaleda for her speech in Cox’s Bazar

Health Minister Mohammed Nasim has criticised BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for her speech in Cox’s Bazar and said she is a “politically blind” leader.

“I am appalled at her speech. As if her job was to be there for 15 minutes,” he said, referring to her recent visit to the Rohingya refugee camps.

During her speech in Cox's Bazar, Khaleda accused the government of doing nothing to solve the crisis or providing aid to the Rohingyas.

“She seems to be making a record in lying,” he said at a meeting with health and family planning department of the port city held at the Chittagong Circuit House on Sunday.

Bangladesh willingly accommodated millions of refugees when the rich European countries were afraid to do so, Nasim said.

Referring to Khaleda’s remarks in Cox’s Bazar, the Awami League leader said: “People will give you a befitting reply in the elections.”

He described how the government arranged food, shelter and medical care for the refugees. “The whole world is now aware of the situation, thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We believe that we will be able to repatriate them (Rohingyas).”

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi will have to take her citizens back no matter what, he insisted.

Claiming that the ruling party has played its diplomatic role well on the Rohingya issue, Nasim said: “Only she (Khaleda) is unable to see it, she is politically blind. She needs to get treated for her blindness.”

“What shocks us most is that she had to take hundreds of expensive cars to Cox’s Bazar. They could have donated the money that they spent on fuel,” he said referring to leaders of the BNP, the arch-rival of the ruling Awami League that now sits outside parliament.

“Khaleda Zia spoke about the next general elections during her short visit in Cox’s Bazar. This shows that doing charity was not her main focus,” said Minister Nasim.