KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has presented a five-point written proposal to the Nepali Congress, calling for the formation of a high-level parliamentary investigation committee into the misuse of visit visas and alleged human trafficking.
Based on previous rounds of talks among opposition parties, RSP submitted the proposal to push forward discussions on a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into the scandal. The proposal highlights the growing concerns around the involvement of government officials, travel and manpower agencies, diplomatic missions, and organized crime networks.
While the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) continues its corruption probe, the RSP emphasized the need for a broader investigation that also addresses human trafficking, organized crime, and systemic failures. The document suggests joint agreement between ruling and opposition parties on the following five points:
Proposed Points of Agreement:
1) Non-interference and full cooperation:
The government will provide full support and facilitation to the CIAA’s ongoing investigation into corruption at the Tribhuvan International Airport’s Immigration Office, without interference.
2) High-level probe committee within five days:
Without infringing on the CIAA’s constitutional jurisdiction, the government will form a high-level investigation committee within five days to probe human trafficking and organized crime carried out under the guise of visit visas. The committee will investigate the involvement of government agencies, travel agencies, manpower companies, airlines, and both Nepali and foreign entities.
It will also function as a legislative oversight group, including representatives from all political parties, to monitor the implementation of commitments made by the government through the Prime Minister.
3) Formation of an operational sub-committee within one day:
An operational task committee will be formed within one day to define the terms of reference (ToR), structure, and authority of the investigation committee. This task committee will finalize the probe committee’s working procedures within five days and oversee its formal establishment.
4) Focus areas of investigation:
In coordination with relevant ministries and agencies (Home, Immigration, Police, Foreign Affairs, Civil Aviation Authority), the investigation will remain transparent, evidence-based, and time-bound, focusing on:
4.1: Identifying and analyzing policy and systemic weaknesses (in visit visas, labor approval, immigration, etc.)
4.2: Investigating illegal networks tied to human trafficking and organized crime
4.3: Recommending administrative and judicial reforms to ensure victim protection and rehabilitation
4.4: Recommending improvements in inter-agency coordination
4.5: Establishing political and administrative accountability, including a decision on whether the Home Minister should resign for failing to fulfill duties
5) Commitment to transparency:
The formation of the investigation committee, its procedures, and its final report will be made public to ensure maximum transparency.
The proposal emphasizes good governance, accountability, and justice, and calls on all branches of the state to work together to restore public trust in handling such sensitive national issues.
The proposal signals a concrete push by the RSP to formalize a path toward resolving the political deadlock in Parliament, while keeping the demand for Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s accountability on the table.
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