Government, Gen Z leaders sign pending blueprint for reforms
After a months-long exercise, the government and Gen Z leaders signed an accord on Wednesday to give legitimacy to the September youth uprising that ousted the government of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML. The Kathmandu Post
Latest: Corruption charges filed over Pokhara International Airport
An anti-graft panel in Nepal has charged 55 officials, including five former ministers and a Chinese contracting company, with corruption in the construction of a Chinese-funded airport in west Nepal, officials said on Tuesday. Reuters
How the scam unfolded
Nepal’s anti-graft body on Sunday filed a corruption case at the Special Court against 55 individuals, including five former ministers and 10 former secretaries, as well as a company over irregularities in the construction of the $215.96 million China-funded international airport project in Pokhara. The Kathmandu Post
The anti-graft body has determined Rs8.36 billion to be recovered from each of the 56 defendants, the largest financial penalty. The final sentencing, however, will be determined by the court. The Kathmandu Post
“They revised the approved cost estimate of the airport with malicious intent, inflated the estimate abnormally, and made excessive payments accordingly. The total loss of $74.34 million is equivalent, at the Nepal Rastra Bank exchange rate of Rs112.55 per USD on August 10, 2018, to Rs8.36 billion,” reads the charge sheet filed by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority. The Kathmandu Post
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed the case at the anti-corruption Special Court on Sunday, charging the officials and the Chinese firm with illegally inflating the cost of building the Pokhara International Airport by more than $74 million. Reuters
Curfews and clashes: Simara, Bara district
Flights halted as authorities moved to contain unrest near the airport after clashes broke out between Gen Z youths and UML supporters; the District Administration Office, Bara, imposed a curfew in the Simara airport area. The Kathmandu Post
The curfew covers 500 metres on both sides of the Gandak canal–Pathlaiya road section and 500 metres around Simara airport. Mishra said the two groups were still confronting each other and the situation had not stabilised. Flights to and from Kathmandu through Simara were halted. The Kathmandu Post
Agreement recognises Gen Z movement and pledges reforms
The broader agreement emphasised the formation of a commission to recommend changes in the constitution, reforms in the electoral system as well as in the judiciary and public administration, justice for the victims of the Gen Z movement, and issue of corruption control, among others. The Kathmandu Post
The agreement recognises the September Gen Z movement as a “Jana andolan” and for the first time in Nepal, digital-led movements and cultural, social, and technology-based resistance have been recognised as legitimate forms of civic expression. The Kathmandu Post
The text of the agreement was prepared by representatives from both sides. The negotiators included Surya Dhungel on behalf of the government, while representing Gen Z was senior advocate Raju Chapagain. The Kathmandu Post
International and national framing
Corruption is described as pervasive in reporting on the case: “Corruption is rampant in Nepal, which is situated between China and India.” Reuters
Reuters also noted the broader context of the September unrest: “In September, at least 76 people were killed in youth-led anti-graft protests, which forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.” Reuters
Share Your Thoughts
- What impact do you think the government-Gen Z agreement will have on demands for accountability and reform?
- How should investigators and courts balance speedy justice with thorough probes into the Pokhara airport allegations?
- Do curfews and local clashes signal a wider risk of renewed unrest ahead of elections?
- What safeguards should Nepal adopt to prevent similar procurement irregularities in future infrastructure projects?
- How can international partners and lenders respond to corruption findings while supporting Nepal’s development needs?