PHSC endorses 8 foreign service officials for ambassadorship

Kathmandu / Aug. 06: The Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee (PHSC) on Friday endorsed names of eight officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, who were recommended for appointment as ambassadors of Nepal to various diplomatic missions.

A PHSC meeting held Friday afternoon endorsed the names on the basis of their plans of action, qualifications, competences and experiences.

Sewa Lamsal Adhikari, Tara Prasad Pokharel, Prakash Kumar Subedi, Rishi Ram Ghimire, Ramesh Prasad Khanal, Jhabindra Prasad Aryal, Durba Bahadur Subedi and Lok Bahadur Thapa have been endorsed for appointment as Nepali ambassadors to Pakistan, Brazil, Vienna-based United Nations Office, Russia, Germany, Egypt, United Kingdom, and Belgium and the European Union respectively.

Before the President would appoint them, the government is now required to send the names to the host nations for agréments. The Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee on Thursday had completed hearing on them.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to withdraw 14 names recommended for ambassadorial berths at other missions. The erstwhile KP Sharma Oli-government had recommended 22 persons for ambassadors in April. Of the nominees, eight were from the foreign service whereas 14 were recommended from outside on the basis of their political affiliation.

The newly formed Cabinet, however, decided to withdraw the 14 politically-affiliated names. Subsequently, the PHSC on Friday concluded that the names should not be discussed as the recommendation itself was cancelled.