KATHMANDU, April 22: A meeting of chief whips, whips, and representatives of political parties in the House of Representatives has agreed to strictly enforce existing laws and strengthen measures to prevent the misuse of diplomatic passports.
The meeting, held in the presence of Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal, concluded that current legal provisions will be strictly followed in the recommendation and use of diplomatic passports in the short term, while necessary amendments will be considered for the long term.
Speaker Aryal stressed the need for stricter safeguards, citing past instances of misuse of diplomatic passports.
SC examines misuse of diplomatic passports
Chief Whip of the Rastriya Swatantra Party Kabindra Burlakoti said passports should be used strictly in accordance with existing legal provisions. Nepali Congress lawmaker Yogesh Gauchan said focus should be placed on capacity-building of lawmakers rather than only on privileges.
CPN-UML lawmaker Guru Prasad Baral said the country has faced reputational damage due to misuse of diplomatic passports and called for a review of its policy and historical background. Chief Whip of the Nepal Communist PartyYubaraj Dulal also emphasized stricter controls to prevent misuse, especially in high-level delegations.
Participants from other parties said further discussion, consultation, and study of international practices are needed before reaching a long-term conclusion, according to the Speaker’s secretariat.
Federal Parliament Secretary-General Padma Prasad Pandey said there is no complication in using diplomatic passports for official work and ordinary passports for personal travel. Foreign Secretary Amrit Rai clarified that diplomatic passports are issued only for government or special assignments under the Passport Act 2076 and Regulation 2077, and stressed the need to address practical issues related to visa processes.
