UK parliamentarians stress on peace

THT Online

KATHMANDU: A nine-member delegation of the International Development Committee comprising of British parliamentarians urged the political parties to wrap up the ongoing peace process as soon as possible.

The parliamentarians made this remark in a press conference organised in the capital on Saturday before their departure to Bangladesh after the completion of a four-day Nepal visit. Malcolm Bruce, the committee’s chairman, said peace and stability in the country was a dire need to reduce the poverty and form an inclusive society comprising of women, ethnic and religious minorities.

Bruce reiterated the British government’s commitment to assist Nepal in development activities. He, however, urged the government to create a conducive environment to ensure the assistance. He also said that it was a must for the peace process to end in a logical manner to elevate the economic status of the 31 percent of Nepalis who earn less than a dollar per day.

The delegation called on the Prime Minister, ministers and leaders from different political parties during its Nepal visit. It also visited Surkhet, Accham, Kaski, Parbat, Banke and Baglung districts and inspected different places like hospitals, community forests, roads, water supply programmes and schools which are funded by the British government.