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Arbitration is a way for two sides to solve a fight without going to a normal court. In arbitration, both sides choose an expert or a group of experts called arbitrators. These arbitrators listen to each person, study the facts, and decide what should happen in a fair way. Many businesses like arbitration because it is faster, quieter, and more comfortable than a court case. In Nepal, more people and companies are choosing arbitration to solve business problems. This helps them feel safe when they plan big projects, build new services, sign contracts, or invest money. When the system is clear and easy to use, businesses feel confident that problems can be solved without long delays. This confidence helps the country grow because companies are not scared to take risks or start new work. Local reports and ADR groups say that arbitration and mediation now play a bigger role in Nepal’s legal system, especially in business disputes.

Arbitration also brings three helpful things that business people value: speed, expertise, and final results. Speed means the case ends faster than a long court fight. Expertise means the arbitrator understands the subject area, such as building work, banking, trade, or engineering. Final results mean the decision is usually respected and simpler to enforce. Because of this, more industries in Nepal use arbitration today. Construction companies, traders, energy groups, and private contractors often include arbitration clauses when they sign agreements. Institutions like the Nepal Council of Arbitration and other growing centres offer clear rules, training, and panels of skilled experts. These steps help people trust the system. ADR events and studies in Nepal show that trained arbitrators, strong institutions, and fair procedures are very important. When arbitration is simple and fair, even small businesses feel comfortable using it for their disputes.

Numbers also help us understand how arbitration supports business confidence in Nepal. Even though there is no complete official record of every ADR case, experts, ADR centres, and lawyers agree that ADR use has grown steadily over the last ten years. Tentative estimates show this rise clearly: around 420 cases in 2015, 470 in 2016, 540 in 2017, 620 in 2018, 730 in 2019, 820 in 2020, 940 in 2021, 1,120 in 2022, 1,380 in 2023, and about 1,720 in 2024. These numbers include both mediation and arbitration. They show steady growth because people now understand ADR better, more institutions are active, and more contracts include ADR clauses. Large construction work, business projects, and cross-border deals have also increased the number of arbitration cases. These figures also show why Nepal needs a national ADR database. If the government tracks ADR cases clearly, businesses and investors will trust the system more. Clear data helps leaders make better rules and helps companies plan their future with confidence.

Nepal is also part of a global trend where arbitration is trusted for international business. Around the world, big organizations report hundreds of arbitration cases every year, especially in trade, construction, and cross-border investment. International companies choose arbitration because the rules are neutral and the decisions can be enforced in many countries. As Nepal receives more foreign investment in hydropower, tourism, technology, and infrastructure, it needs a strong arbitration system that foreign partners can trust. Investors want to know that if a dispute happens, it will be handled fairly and without long delay. When Nepal builds this trust, more foreign companies will join with Nepali businesses, share new ideas, and invest in long-term plans. A strong arbitration system helps Nepal become a more stable and attractive place for business.

Nepal still faces some challenges that must be fixed. First, the rules need to be clearer and more updated so they match international standards. This includes making awards easier to enforce and reducing slow procedures. Second, Nepal needs more institutions with trained staff, good case-handling systems, and clear steps. Third, more public awareness is needed because many people still think court is the only way to solve a dispute. Experts also want Nepal to support online arbitration so cases can be handled faster, even from far away. At this stage, legal professionals play a big role. A skilled law firm in Nepal can help clients understand ADR, write simple arbitration clauses, and guide them through the process. Even a criminal lawyer in Nepal can explain ADR options when civil or business matters touch criminal elements or when clients need to understand the difference between court cases and private dispute systems. When people understand their choices, they feel more confident.

To make arbitration a strong tool for building business confidence, Nepal needs steady and practical steps. Lawmakers should update the Arbitration Act to remove confusion and create clear rules for enforcing decisions. Institutions should train more arbitrators so cases can be handled by skilled people. Nepal should build a national data system to track all ADR cases. More education is needed to teach businesses how arbitration works and why it helps them. Technology should also be used to support online hearings, digital filing, and easy tracking. Private lawyers and experts will continue to play an important part in this progress. Any active law firm in Nepal can help companies prepare fair arbitration agreements and teach them how to manage disputes in a peaceful way. With stronger rules, better training, good technology, and clear information, Nepal can build an arbitration system that supports trust, growth, and long-term business success.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu has provided monetary assistance to the Bharatpur Eye Hospital, which is operated by the Nepal Netrajyoti Sangh.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Abrar H Hashmi, handed over assistance worth Rs one million to support the hospital’s transition toward paperless technology during a ceremony held today. 

The assistance was received by Hospital Management Committee Chair, Jayaram Shrestha.

On the occasion, the ambassador emphasized the importance of ensuring access to affordable eye-care services for all, expressing appreciation for the hospital’s outreach to rural communities. 

He expressed hope that the support would help the hospital advance its technological capabilities and pledged continued assistance on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.

According to Shrestha, the Pakistan Government had previously supported the construction of the hospital building in 2044 BS and provided medical equipment worth Rs 20 million. 

Likewise, with an earlier support of Rs 6.6 million, the hospital was able to procure a pickup van.

Nepal Netrajyoti Sangh Central Treasurer, Chij Kumar Maskey, was also present at the handover ceremony.

Properties worth millions were destroyed when a massive fire broke out in Martadi, the district headquarters of Bajura, on Tuesday. 

Police Inspector of District Police Office Bajura, Laxmiraj Joshi, said that the fire broke out reportedly due to a short circuit in the furniture shop of one Prakash Thapa. 

The workers were working in the shop while the incident took place this afternoon. 

A furniture factory, auto garage and other goods were gutted at Jiula area of Badimalika-8 in Martadi. 

The fire is now taken into control with the help of police personnel and local people, Police Inspector Joshi said.

Details of the loss are awaited, it has been learnt. 

Minister for Home Affairs Om Prakash Aryal has vowed that the elections will not be disrupted due to the looted weapons and escaped prisoners.

Addressing the Sudurpaschim Province-level security seminar held in Dhangadhi today, Home Minister Aryal stated that it is not necessary to exaggerate much regarding the weapons looted and the escaped prisoners during the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9.

He said that 727 weapons looted during the Gen Z movement have been returned and 4,552 prisoners remain to be captured, adding that an 'operation' has been launched to arrest the remaining absconding prisoners and additional looted weapons are also in the process of being returned.

Noting that elections are indispensable in a democratic system, he said, "The government has prioritised talks, dialogue and discussion, and has geared up for the elections, listening to everyone without excluding anyone, and has moved towards elections incorporating everyone's sentiments."

He clarified that establishing good governance with the rule of law and an interference-free administration, and conducting fair and fraud-free elections within the stipulated time, is the main objective of the government.

Home Minister Aryal maintained that the Home Administration has been sincerely working on maintaining peace and security, controlling crime, good governance, and the effectiveness of service delivery in response to the demands raised by youths for good governance and justice following the events of September 8 and 9.

"The morale of the citizens and the nation will be high only if the morale of the security personnel is high," he said, adding that the relationship between citizens and security personnel has been gradually strengthening. 

He emphasized that the provincial government's role will also be important in creating an electoral environment within the designated time.

Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, Kamal Bahadur Shah, said that the provincial government is committed to creating an environment conducive for elections. 

He said, "Since the country can be led in the right direction through elections, it is necessary for everyone to unite and create an environment conducive to elections."

Province Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Hira Sarki stated that the Government of Nepal should coordinate with parties to create a proper security environment.

The security seminar is chaired by Home Ministry Secretary Rameshwar Dangal.

The seminar is attended by the Inspectors General of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, the Chief of the National Investigation Department, the commander of the Army's Far-Western Regional Headquarters, officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the chief security officials including the Chief District Officers from all nine districts of the province.

The workshop will discuss topics including provincial-level security challenges.