The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute has expressed serious concern about the dissolution of Nepal’s House of Representative by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari for the second time in six months and the declaration of mid-term general elections in November.
Ayjaz Wani
On 20 December, Pakistan’s Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal officially opened another border crossing point with Iran to facilitate trade and travel between the two historically-linked countries. The minister also inaugurated an immigration office at the new Gwadar-Ramdhan entry point, about 130 km from the strategic Chabahar port in Iran, being built by India. The crossing is suitably located for bilateral import and export of fruits, construction material, livestock and petroleum products.
The opening of this crossing was finalised during the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Javad Zarifto Pakistan on 12 November. As per the agreement, more border crossing points will be opened in the near future. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the opening of another international border crossing-point underlines the strengthening bilateral ties and increasing economic activities.
Oli’s Coup
The sudden decision taken by Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to dissolve Parliament on Sunday has plunged the Himalayan country into a new phase of political turmoil. Though the crisis is due to an internal power struggle within the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), the development has supposedly rattled China which is trying to encircle India with the help of Nepal and Pakistan. China has, for the past few months, been striving to keep the NCP united so that Nepal remains under its orbit of influence. Earlier this month, China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe and a number of senior diplomats and leaders of the Communist Party of China (CCP) visited Nepal. They met top leaders of the NCP, including Oli and his co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, aka Prachanda, advising them to resolve their differences and remain united.
Nepal political crisis, PM Oli recommends dissolution of Parliament
Kathmandu, New Delhi, Dec 20 (UNI) In fast changing political developments in Nepal, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Sunday recommended dissolution of the House after an emergency meeting of his Cabinet.
The sudden development has sparked off a heated political debate in the Himalayan country and threatens to snowball since Nepal’s constitution does not have a provision for the dissolution of the House. Consequently, the Opposition Nepali Congress (NC) described the move as ‘’authoritarian’’ and said they would oppose it politically.
‘’The Cabinet meeting decided to recommend to the President dissolution of the Parliament,” Nepal’s Energy Minister Barshaman Pun said.
Nepal political crisis : Parliament dissolved, fresh elections in March, May 2021.
Kathmandu, Dec 20 (UNI) In fast changing political developments in Nepal, the Himalayan country s Parliament was dissolved on Sunday by President Bidya Devi Bhandari following a recommendation by Prime Minister K P Sharma
Oli earlier in the morning.
“Nepal President ratifies the proposal of Parliament dissolution presented by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli,” the President’s Office said.
The President also announced fresh elections to be held in two rounds on April 30 and May 10 next year.
The 275-member House of Representatives, which is the lower house of Parliament, was elected in 2017.