'Share truth on political change'

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 9: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has directed Nepal’s ambassadors and heads of missions abroad to prioritise five key areas to navigate the nation's political transition and address the fallout from recent Gen Z unrest.

In her address to them on Wednesday, she laid out her immediate strategic mandate, focusing on the recent political shift, upcoming general election, managing fund for reconstruction, revitalising tourism and investment and enhancing citizen services. 

Stating that Nepal is currently at a critical political juncture and the role to be played by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and its subordinate bodies is significant, PM Karki said that it is essential to inform all stakeholders, including government bodies in the countries where the diplomats and representatives are resident and concurrently accredited, about the immense scale of the recent movement in Nepal, the public's desire for change, and the priorities of the interim government.

She stressed the importance of holding the upcoming General Election on 5 March 2026. "The bedrock of democracy is a free, fair, and fear-free election, and the current government is resolute and committed to this principle. Should we require specific technical or other assistance from a friendly nation, we will notify you separately and swiftly," said PM Karki. 

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has begun preparations for international election observation, in line with international practice. PM Karki said that the missions will need to maintain contact and coordinate with the relevant parties on these issues. "We are also working on allowing Nepali citizens temporarily abroad to vote in the election and are seeking information and suggestions on how to best facilitate their participation," she said.

Likewise, PM Karki, who also holds Foreign Affairs portfolio, directed the Nepali missions abroad to actively disseminate the information about the need of support for the infrastructure damaged during the movement and make sure that the support is provided to the Physical Infrastructure Reconstruction Fund established by the government to support relief, reconstruction, and economic revival. 

According to her, the purpose of operating this official fund is to ensure the correct, transparent, and proper utilisation of resources, preventing parallel, non-transparent fundraising and potential misuse. 

Similarly, the recent movement has negatively impacted Nepal's tourism sector. Hotel bookings, which should be around 70 per cent of capacity during the high season month of October, have currently dropped to around 30 per cent. In this regard, it is essential to inform all concerned parties that the situation in Nepal has returned to normal and that economic activities, including tourism, trade, and investment, have resumed their previous momentum, stated PM Karki.

On the occasion, she demanded the Nepali envoys and representatives abroad to enhance  service delivery to the migrant workers and to safeguard their dignity, honour and rights. 

"Millions of Nepali citizens are currently abroad for work. As the flow of people going abroad increases, so does the volume of work related to Nepalis overseas," she said. 

“Following the movement, there are elevated public expectations for efficient, impartial, transparent, accountable, unbiased, technology-friendly, and effective service delivery and performance. We cannot shirk our public and legal responsibilities,” maintained PM Karki.

She informed that the MoFA and its departments are actively working on problems arising from the misuse of visit visas and matters requiring coordination with other bodies. "While challenges certainly exist, new opportunities have also emerged for a country like Nepal. 

Therefore, it is essential that we conduct even more effective diplomacy and demonstrate greater proactivity, keeping the national interest at the forefront," she said. 

PM Karki also said that the country must further strengthen its cooperative ties with friendly nations and enhance collaboration with multilateral and regional organisations for the smooth transition to the developing nation from the Least Developed Country in 2026 and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. 

She stressed on mutually beneficial cooperation, sustainable investment, and shared prosperity.

Stating that the foremost priority of this government is the election, PM Karki expressed her commitment to establishing the highest standards of good governance in the country. "It is with this commitment that I expect all of you to carry out your duties. Any behaviour that compromises your duty and integrity will not be tolerated," she warned. 

The demands of the Gen Z youth relate to the political, economic, and overall governance structure and are often far-reaching in nature, she informed.