Meetings of senior leaders would no longer be confined to power-sharing talks: PM

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has announced that the meetings of senior leaders would no longer be confined to power-sharing discussions.

“I appeal to civil society and all agencies to break the status quo. Senior leaders will now meet not only for power-sharing talks but also to establish a shared stance on foreign policy, job creation, and improving the country’s image,” Dahal said in his address to the nation on the completion of his first year in office on Tuesday, Dahal stated that the meetings of senior leaders would no longer be confined to power-sharing discussions. .

Dahal also mentioned that the government was preparing to recall ambassadors and heads of permanent missions with poor work performance. On the occasion, he urged diplomatic missions to focus on tourism and investment promotion.

Furthermore, Dahal requested senior leaders’ support and cooperation to rid universities of political interference.

During the occasion, he expressed gratitude to cricketers for qualifying for the World Cup despite infrastructure shortcomings in the country. “Our players have qualified for the World Cup even though we lack grounds with adequate facilities. We will spare no effort in preparing for the World Cup,” Dahal said. “This has laid the foundation for sports tourism in Nepal. Now, our focus is on infrastructure development.”

Dahal also announced that the TU International Cricket Ground would be developed under a public-private partnership model. Stating that the government was building cricket stadiums in Mulpani, Biratnagar, and Dhagandhi as national pride projects, Dahal said the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in Chitwan was being implemented as a joint project of all three tiers of government.

The prime minister also predicted that the coming decade would be an era of rapid development. “We will implement a working model comprising a minimum of two shifts to expedite development projects,” he said.

Outlining the achievements of the previous year in infrastructure development, Dahal highlighted the construction of 776.61 kilometers of black-topped roads, along with 587.5 kilometers of gravel roads. Additionally, 181.29 kilometers of new tracks have been opened.