Kathmandu, August 20
CPN-UML leader Mohammad Ishtiyaq Rayi has proposed inviting Prime Minister Balen Shah to a parliamentary committee to discuss the controversy surrounding the purchase of passports.
Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives’ State Affairs and Good Governance Committee, Rayi said the prime minister should be called in to clarify the issue.
“The issue of passport procurement that has come out publicly needs to be discussed by inviting the prime minister,” Rayi said.
Rayi also sought clarification from the government over the formation of a separate asset investigation commission under the government, arguing that it could encroach on the jurisdiction of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
He also raised questions over reports that CIAA officials were summoned to the Prime Minister’s Office and questioned for around seven hours.
The CIAA is a constitutional body established to investigate corruption and abuse of authority and to maintain checks and balances over the government.
Questions had been raised after reports that aides of Prime Minister Shah kept all CIAA officials at the Prime Minister’s Office for hours and questioned them.
Rayi said the prime minister should provide an explanation to the parliamentary committee regarding the incident.
