KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud is set to embark on a visit to Qatar on December 9 to appeal to the Qatari government for assistance in the rescue of Bipin Joshi, currently held by the Hamas military group.

Joshi, who has been in captivity since October 7 under the Palestinian militant group Hamas, remains missing, and his current location is unknown. Despite diplomatic efforts by the Nepali government, he was not among the released prisoners.

During the recent visit of Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, to Nepal, the government sought Qatar’s support in the rescue efforts for Joshi. Nepal has also been in contact with the Israeli government, urging their cooperation in securing Joshi’s release.

Prior to his departure, Minister Saud met with Bipin’s parents today in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur, to update them on the ongoing efforts and seek their support in this challenging situation.