KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
President summons joint session of federal parliament
President Ramchandra Paudel has, on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, summoned a session of both houses of the federal parliament at 2:00 pm on Thursday. The Council of Ministers had made the recommendation earlier today as per Article 93 (1) of the Constitution, shared Spokesperson of the Office of the President, Ritesh Kumar Shakya.
Govt to form task force to prepare discussion paper on constitution amendment
The government has decided to form a task force to prepare a discussion paper on amending the Constitution of Nepal. A meeting of the Council of Ministers held at Singha Durbar on Monday took the decision, according to government spokesperson and Minister for Education Sasmit Pokharel. The task force will be led by the political advisor to Prime Minister Balen Shah, Asim Shah and will include representatives from political parties represented in the Federal Parliament of Nepal.
Supreme Court rejects interim release for Oli
The Supreme Court has rejected a plea for the interim release of KP Sharma Oli. A single bench led by Justice Meghraj Pokharel turned down the habeas corpus petition filed by Oli’s wife, Radhika Shakya, who claimed her husband was being held illegally. The court issued only a show-cause order to the government, meaning Oli’s immediate release is unlikely. Earlier, the Supreme Court had also rejected the release of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, with Justice Kumar Regmi issuing a similar show-cause order.
Supreme Court refuses interim release for former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak
The Supreme Court of Nepal has declined to grant an interim order in a habeas corpus petition seeking the release of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. A bench led by Justice Kumar Regmi issued a show-cause order, reducing the immediate possibility of Lekhak’s release. The petition, filed by Lekhak’s wife Yashoda Lekhak, challenged his detention as unlawful and named the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretariat at Singha Durbar as respondents. Following the Supreme Court’s order, Lekhak will remain in custody for five days as per the Kathmandu District Court’s ruling issued on Sunday.
Supreme Court blocks immediate arrest of Mahesh Basnet
Mahesh Basnet will not be immediately arrested after the District Court rejected a request for his detention. The decision effectively delays any immediate action against him. The arrest request was filed earlier by Shobha Pathak in relation to a pending case. A bench led by Justice Dhruva Karki ruled that no new arrest authorization can be issued for a case already under consideration, preventing Basnet’s immediate detention.
Govt unveils reform agenda linking performance to results, plans to cut ministries to 17
The government has issued directives to link civil servants’ performance with measurable results, requiring all public offices to prepare objective performance indicators for each position within 45 days. As part of broader governance reforms, the government said a performance-based accountability and review system will be implemented within 90 days to end the tendency of treating both efficient and underperforming employees equally. The measures are included in a 100-point reform agenda unveiled on Friday aimed at improving public service delivery and administrative efficiency.
63 under-secretaries deployed to local units without chief administrative officers
The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has decided to transfer and deploy 63 under-secretaries or equivalent officials. According to the ministry, the officials were assigned on Monday to local units and District Coordination Committees that have long been without a Chief Administrative Officer. Some of the officials have been formally transferred, while many have been deployed to local governments to carry out administrative duties.
UML protest sees cadres injured as top leaders stay away from streets
A protest launched by CPN-UML demanding the release of party chair KP Sharma Oli has seen limited participation, with most senior leaders absent from the streets while cadres faced police action. The agitation, announced from Saturday, was expected to mobilize party ranks nationwide. However, only a small number of supporters turned up, particularly in restricted areas, leading to several injuries among participating cadres. Despite the protest being formally declared by the party’s central leadership, top leaders and office bearers were largely missing. The absence of leadership has raised questions over the effectiveness and coordination of the protest.
Minister Timilsina stresses need to strengthen postal services
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Bikram Timilsina has stressed the need to strengthen postal services to make them more effective and accessible to citizens. Speaking at a program organized by the Department of Postal Services at Babarmahal on Monday, the minister said postal services play an important role in delivering public services closer to people. On the occasion, Minister Timilsina affixed first-day covers for three new postage stamps issued under the department’s approved philatelic program.
Govt selects Chinese firm for Nagdhunga Tunnel operation and management
The government has selected a company to operate and manage the Nagdhunga Tunnel. The project has awarded the contract to the Chinese firm Yuxin-ART JV. According to project engineer Suniyojit Nepal of the Department of Roads, the company was chosen because it offered a bid approximately 40 percent lower than the estimated cost. The company has been called for contract signing within a week. The tunnel project had issued the tender on Kartik 16, attracting bids from 10 companies, with Yuxin-ART JV submitting the lowest proposal.
Bidya Devi Bhandari checks KP Sharma Oli’s health at TU Teaching Hospital
Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari visited KP Sharma Oli at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, today to inquire about his health. Bhandari obtained details from medical staff regarding Oli’s condition, according to her personal secretary Rajkumar Rai. Oli, the chairman of the CPN-UML, was arrested on Saturday following recommendations by the commission led by former Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki, which investigated the public livelihood protests of September 8 and 9, 2025. After his arrest, he was admitted to the teaching hospital for necessary medical treatment.
PM Balen Shah holds silent consultations with Koshi, Karnali lawmakers
Prime Minister Balen Shah, known for his brief speeches, continued his reserved approach during consultations with lawmakers from Koshi and Karnali provinces on Monday. Even during his election campaign, Shah rarely spoke for more than three minutes, and in his first Cabinet meeting after assuming office last Friday, he also spoke for only three minutes. In that meeting, he reportedly warned secretaries that those unable to work should resign. On Monday, Shah met with lawmakers elected from all parties in the two provinces at the Prime Minister and Cabinet Office in Singha Durbar. While the discussions lasted around two and a half hours, the Prime Minister did not respond to any questions raised by the lawmakers.
Govt eases foreign employment process, expands labor agreements despite earlier claims
Despite earlier political claims that Nepali youths would not need to seek foreign employment, the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has moved to further simplify and expand overseas job opportunities. Leaders and cadres of the Rastriya Swatantra Party had earlier claimed that improved domestic conditions would reduce the need for foreign employment. However, recent decisions suggest a shift toward managing rather than limiting overseas labor migration. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has confirmed reforms, including scrapping the token system for labor approvals and introducing same-day approval for applications.
NEPSE slides as investors react to Balen Shah government’s reform agenda
The stock market has shown continued declines following the announcement of the government’s 100-point governance reform agenda under Prime Minister Balen Shah, with investors reportedly unsettled by potential regulatory changes. The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell 47.71 points on Monday to reach 2,831.39, following a 71.05-point drop on Sunday. Of the companies traded, 237 saw share prices decline, 26 recorded gains, while five remained unchanged. The government’s reform plan, introduced in its first Cabinet meeting, includes measures ranging from the digitization of asset records to promoting healthy private sector growth. Market participants, particularly in the secondary capital market, appear cautious in response to these governance-focused steps.
RPP MP Gyanendra Shahi discusses development priorities with PM Balendra Shah
Gyanendra Shahi, a member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, stated that he held a positive and productive discussion with Prime Minister Balendra Shah on key issues concerning sustainable development across Karnali Province and the entire country. Shahi described the meeting as energetic and fruitful, focusing on infrastructure strengthening, education and healthcare improvements, job creation, tourism promotion, and optimal utilization of local resources. The discussion also emphasized promoting inclusive development in Karnali Province as a contribution to national prosperity.
Govt rolls out six-point health sector reform under 100-point governance agenda
The government’s 100-point governance reform agenda, approved by the Cabinet on March 27, includes six points focused on improving the health sector, with a strong emphasis on digital systems and citizen-centric service delivery. To ensure access to healthcare for the poor, helpless, and abandoned patients, the government has directed that at least 10 percent of beds in both public and private hospitals be made available free of charge. This measure aims to eliminate financial barriers to treatment and enhance social responsibility across healthcare providers.
PM Balen Shah begins phased consultations with provincial lawmakers
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has started a series of phased consultations with lawmakers from all provinces, beginning with Karnali Province on Monday. The Prime Minister held the first round of discussions with members of Parliament from Karnali, as part of a broader plan to engage separately with representatives from each province. According to his secretariat, similar meetings will be held gradually with lawmakers from other provinces in the coming days.
Govt unveils reform agenda linking performance to results, plans to cut ministries to 17
The government has issued directives to link civil servants’ performance with measurable results, requiring all public offices to prepare objective performance indicators for each position within 45 days. As part of broader governance reforms, the government said a performance-based accountability and review system will be implemented within 90 days to end the tendency of treating both efficient and underperforming employees equally. The measures are included in a 100-point reform agenda unveiled on Friday aimed at improving public service delivery and administrative efficiency.
Govt faces backlash over entrance prep ban as Education Ministry removes decision notice
The federal government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has come under sharp criticism after its decision to ban entrance preparation classes and bridge courses triggered controversy, prompting the Education Ministry to remove the related notice from its website. Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmita Pokharel had earlier made the decision public through social media, with the official letter also published on the ministry’s website. The announcement quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention. While some sections supported the move, calling it a step toward reducing inequality in education, the decision also sparked significant backlash. Confusion deepened after multiple and seemingly contradictory notices were issued within a short span.
Ride-hailing drivers launch protest alleging exploitation by companies
Ride-hailing drivers have launched a protest raising various demands, accusing companies of long-standing exploitation. Drivers associated with platforms such as Pathao and inDrive have united to stage the protest, claiming unfair treatment and lack of proper benefits. Protesters chanted slogans calling for an end to exploitation, justice for riders, and continued struggle against what they described as systemic unfair practices.
Deepak Khadka admitted to hospital
Arrested former minister and Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka has been admitted to hospital. Khadka, who was taken into custody on Sunday, had already been remanded to seven days in detention by the court for investigation. Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding his health condition, while the investigation into the case remains ongoing.
Domestic violence cases raise questions over local governments’ role in crime prevention
A series of recent incidents of domestic violence across Nepal has raised serious concerns about whether local governments are doing enough to prevent crimes before they occur. While crime reporting has long been a regular feature of media coverage, the persistence of such incidents suggests that preventive mechanisms within communities remain weak. Experts say many acts of violence begin as seemingly minor incidents, such as alcohol-fueled disputes, domestic abuse, or family conflicts, that are often dismissed as private matters. When such cases are ignored or tolerated, they can escalate into serious crimes.
Public Procurement Act overhaul planned within a month
The newly formed government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Saturday unveiled a 100-point agenda, prioritizing good governance and easing the difficulties citizens face in accessing public services. Among the key measures, the government has announced plans to amend the Public Procurement Act 2007 within a month to reform the public procurement system and improve project management. Under the section on public procurement and project management reform in the agenda, the government stated that the law will be revised within 30 days to make procurement processes and development projects more effective, transparent and time-bound.
Habeas corpus petition on Lekhak’s arrest assigned to Justice Kumar Regmi
A habeas corpus petition filed against the arrest of former home minister and Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak has been assigned to the bench of Supreme Court Justice Kumar Regmi. The petition was filed on Sunday by Lekhak’s wife, Yashoda Lekhak, challenging his detention. Lekhak was arrested on Saturday from Katunje, Bhaktapur, in connection with the implementation of recommendations by the commission led by former Chief Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki, which had investigated the Gen Z protests. He is currently held at the 2nd Battalion, Maharajgunj, for investigation.
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