OWSA Contributor

I get climate anxiety. Five years ago, I stopped reading the news. Because I chose to work where I could actually make a difference. I chose my battleground.

Stakeholders are calling on the government to explore alternative trade corridors, diplomatic engagement to secure safe passage, and urgent financial support for exporters facing liquidity crunches.

ILO’s Nepal country director Numan Özcan says that with evidence-based planning, increased investment, and inclusive social dialogue, the country can turn a potential setback into a catalyst for sustainable, job-rich development.

Independent observers note that without accountability, the culture of impunity will only deepen. Families continue to lose loved ones in suspicious circumstances, while officers operate with an apparent licence to kill.

As families search for loved ones and casualty verification continues, the incident risks further destabilising an already volatile region. Diplomats and rights monitors are watching closely, with calls mounting for de-escalation and dialogue.

The report stresses the need for drastic improvements in the public procurement system. Recommendations include establishing clearer bid evaluation criteria, strictly screening abnormally low bids that often lead to abandoned contracts, and enhancing the government’s e-procurement system.

As the NCHR report concludes, comprehensive judicial reform and a shift from punishment to rehabilitation are essential.

The transition will require careful policy planning to ensure that the gains achieved over decades are not undermined by sudden changes in trade and development frameworks.