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Foreign Minister Bimala Rai Paudyal’s Geneva visit has been canceled at the direction of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Minister Paudyal was scheduled to leave for Geneva this evening to take part in a program of the Human Rights Council. She took part in the government from the CPN-UML. A source at the Foreign Ministry said that Minister Paudyal’s Geneva visit was canceled at the direction of PM Dahal. During a press conference organized by the Foreign Ministry on Sunday, Minister Paudyal informed about her Geneva visit. Though the alliance between the CPN (Maoist Center) and the CPN-UML had broken down over the presidential election, the UML has not left the government. The UML was expected to pull out of the government after the Maoist Center supported the Nepali Congress candidate in the presidential election. During the Secretariat meeting held on Saturday, the UML had said that it has no plan to leave the government.  

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government would declare those who sacrificed their lives for 'the cause of People's War' as the national martyrs. During his interaction with the families of those killed and disappeared during the People's War at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar today, he said preparations are being made to officially recognize those who had their 'significant' contribution to make a big political change happen in the nation. "Today marks the Memorial Day of Dil Bahadur Ramtel, the first person who sacrificed his life for the cause of people's war. The people who lost their lives to the 1951 movement to the Jhapa rebellion to the People's War are our national pride and they deserve a huge reverence. So, the incumbent government is preparing all those who were killed for their belief, support and contribution to all the movements for political changes as national martyrs," the Prime Minister said. The Bill regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has neared the final phase, according to the Head-of-the-Government who assured that remaining works of the peace process would complete soon. "The Truth and Reconciliation Bill is being taken ahead on the basis of the principles of transitional justice," he said, adding that the document would be taken to a conclusion very soon.  He went on to say that the document was significant in terms of the recognition of 'martyrs' of people's war, for the rights and education of their off-spring. On the occasion, advocate Ekraj Bhandari, on behalf of the affected families, expressed happiness over the government's recent decision to observe Fagun 1 in the Nepali calendar as the "People's War Day".   It may be noted that the government had decided to observe Fagun 1 as the "People's War Day" and announced a public holiday. The Day was marked on February 23 this year. Meanwhile, the major ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) prepares to observe the "Martyrs Week" beginning on March 5. Prime Minister's chief advisor Haribol Gajurel, Maoist Centre's general secretary Dev Prasad Gurung, deputy general secretary Shakti Bahadur Basnet and leader Hitraj Pandey were among those present on the occasion. The affected families drew the Prime Minister's attention towards the State's proper recognition for them.  

Foreign Minister Bimala Rai Paudyal is leaving for Geneva on Sunday. She is leaving for Geneva this evening to take part in a program of the Human Rights Council. Organizing a press conference on Sunday, the Foreign Ministry informed about Foreign Minister’s Geneva visit. Though the alliance between the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) has broken taking the issue of presidential election, the UML has not left the government. Paudel took part in the government from the UML. After the CPN (Maoist Center) supported the Nepali Congress candidate for the post of the President, it was expected that the UML, the second largest party in the Parliament, would pull out of the government. Minister’s Paudel’s Geneva visit had also become uncertain. Paudel said that she is leaving for Geneva as per the decision of the Cabinet. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party had also left the government on Saturday.  

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is leaving for Doha on March 3 to take part in the meeting of the least developed countries. Organizing a press conference on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed about the Prime Minister’s Doha visit. Sewa Lamsal, spokesperson at the Foreign Ministry, said that PM Dahal will return home on March 6. This is Dahal’s first foreign visit after being appointed as the Prime Minister.