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Wrapping up his two-day state visit to Nepal, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani returned home today.

President Ram Chandra Poudel had reached the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to bid farewell to the Qatari Emir.

Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang and Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal, among other high officials were also present at TIA to see off the Emir.

A contingent of the Nepali Army offered a guard of honor and fired 21 cannon salvoes on the occasion.

The Qatari Emir arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday for the state visit at the cordial invitation of President Paudel.

Qatari Emir Al Thani and President Paudel held talks at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas the same day.

President Paudel hosted a banquet in the Emir's honor the same evening.

Prime Minister Dahal and the Qatari Emir held a delegation-level meeting today. The two countries signed an agreement and five memoranda of understanding on various areas of cooperation on the occasion.

This is the Emir's first visit to Nepal after the two countries established diplomatic ties on January 21, 1977.

Nepal had set up its embassy in Doha on July 11, 2000 and Qatar its embassy in Kathmandu in August 2011.

Nepal and Qatar have reached to an agreement and understanding to collaborate in the art and culture, education, communication, youth and sports, legal assistance, and the industry and commerce sectors.

These agreements and MoUs were signed today on the occasion of the state visit of Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, said Amrit Bahadur Rai, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on collaboration in the area of art and culture, exchange of news between the official news agencies of Nepal and Qatar, and exchange of cooperation in the education sector.

The agreements and MoUs were signed in the presence of the Qatari Emir and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal following bilateral talks between them at the Soaltee Hotel today.

The Agreement signed today is on Cooperation and Exchange of News between National News Agency, Nepal (RSS) and Qatar News Agency (QNA).

The MoUs signed include: the Memorandum of Understanding  for cooperation in the fields of culture and arts between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal and the Ministry of Culture of the State of Qatar; the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of education, higher education and scientific research between the Government of Nepal and the Government of  the State of Qatar; the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of youth and sports between the Government of Nepal and the Government of the State of Qatar; the Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between the Office of the Attorney General of Nepal and the Public Prosecution of the State of Qatar and the Memorandum of Understanding  on cooperation in the field of diplomatic training and education between the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of the Government of Nepal and The Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar.

People create laws and constitutions for themselves, then execute, implement and follow these laws as part of their civic duty. This process is common across the globe. The only times when individuals are exempt from following the law are at birth and at death. Otherwise, throughout their lives, people must abide by the law to maintain order and be seen as living a disciplined life.

As social creatures, humans naturally form communities and live among others. This need for social connection underscores the importance of fostering brotherhood and maintaining cordial relationships with one another. It’s through these positive interactions that harmony is created and sustained in society.

In today’s society, however, it’s apparent that many people, politicians and political parties often do not follow the rules and laws they are supposed to uphold. This lack of adherence to the rule of law has led to a breakdown in social harmony and an environment where breaches of legal and ethical standards are common. The authorities frequently enjoy absolute impunity for violating both political and economic rights, undermining the principle of justice that should be central to governance.

This disregard for the rule of law has contributed to growing social and religious conflicts. When those in power are not held accountable, it creates an atmosphere of mistrust and division among the people. Without a consistent enforcement of the law, the development and stability of society and the country are at risk. To move forward, it’s crucial that laws are respected and applied evenly, without favoritism or corruption, ensuring that everyone is subject to the same legal standards. This is the only way to rebuild trust, promote social harmony and foster sustainable development.

To address these issues, laws are needed to combat false accusations, rumors and hate speech. While Nepal has laws and regulations in place for these matters, they are not sufficiently strict, allowing people and political leaders to engage in character assassination with impunity.

Lawmakers in parliament must set an example through their conduct and language, presenting their opinions with discipline and respect. Since they represent the people of an entire nation, they should model behavior that is appropriate and considerate. It’s crucial to define the acceptable boundaries and types of language used when criticizing others. Even when someone is guilty of wrongdoing, there are other ways to hold them accountable without resorting to hate speech or personal attacks. The same applies for the bureaucrats.

Stronger enforcement of existing laws and the establishment of clear guidelines on acceptable discourse in public forums can help prevent the spread of harmful rhetoric and promote a more respectful and constructive political environment. Hate speech should never be tolerated, and strict measures must be taken to discourage and penalize those who engage in it.

The behavior and speech patterns of a country’s people reflect the nation’s culture and level of civilization. If we neglect to address these aspects, how can we cultivate a healthy culture and civilization? This disregard for cultural development will prevent the country from progressing in a positive direction.

Currently, the nation is engulfed in confusion because we struggle to discern who is telling the truth and who isn’t. Even those we consider our protectors and leaders often fail to be truthful, creating further uncertainty.

To address this issue, we need laws that promote honesty and respect for others. Anyone who spreads falsehoods or incites hate should face consequences, regardless of their position. This should apply universally, whether the individual is an ordinary citizen, a politician, a bureaucrat, or even a judge. If someone engages in spreading misinformation or hatred, they must be held accountable and face appropriate punishment.

In addition, it’s crucial to scrutinize the integrity of lawyers as they present their cases in court. Legal professionals should be held accountable for the accuracy of the facts they submit during trials. This ensures that justice is based on truth and prevents manipulation or distortion of evidence.

Furthermore, court verdicts should also undergo rigorous examination to ensure that decisions are fair, unbiased and founded on accurate information. Every part of the judicial process must be rooted in honesty to maintain public trust in the legal system.

Ultimately, the commitment to truth should extend across all areas of society. No matter who you are or what role you play, practicing honesty and promoting integrity are essential for building a just and ethical community.

The media plays a pivotal role in disseminating information, which means it must be held to high standards of accuracy and responsibility. Given that misinformation and disinformation are significant threats on a global scale, media organizations must be checked to ensure they are not contributing to these problems.

Nepal should strive to become a land where truth is valued and upheld in all aspects of society.

The author is a member of the Supreme Court Bar and has been practicing corporate law for around three decades

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who is on a two-day state visit to Nepal, and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a meeting on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Dahal and Qatari Emir Al Thani held a one-to-one meeting at Hotel Soaltee this morning, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat informed.

During the meeting between the delegations led by the Qatari Emir and Prime Minister Dahal, matters related to bilateral relations, mutual cooperation and interests and regional and international issues will be discussed, the Foreign Ministry said.

After the meeting, bilateral agreements and memorandum of understandings (MoUs) will be signed in their presence.

The MoUs will be signed between Nepal and Qatar in the fields of youth and sports, higher education and scientific research.

The two countries are also scheduled to sign MoUs on art and culture, attorney general's office and foreign affairs, Amrit Bahadur Rai, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said.

Prime Minister Dahal will host a luncheon in honor of the Qatari Emir.

The Qatari arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday at the cordial invitation of President Ram Chandra Paudel.

He will leave Kathmandu for Qatar this afternoon.