Asim Shah

The Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal (APPON) has urged the government to curb the import of foreign medicines, particularly those already produced domestically. APPON argues that Nepal is self-sufficient in various medicines and suggests importing only raw materials to protect national industries facing competition from cheaper foreign products.

A taskforce, coordinated by Asim Shah, political advisor to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, has begun consulting with political figures to gather suggestions for a discussion paper on constitution amendment. The consultations, held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, include leaders and experts from both ruling and opposition parties.

Asim Shah, coordinator of Nepal's constitutional amendment task force, stated that any changes to the constitution will be pursued through national debate and consensus, not unilaterally. The task force is currently identifying areas of agreement and disagreement among political parties regarding potential amendments. This initiative aims to incorporate the views of all political forces to ensure broad support for any constitutional revisions.

The government has established a committee to prepare for constitution amendment discussions, seeking input from various stakeholders including former Attorneys General. While some advocate for amendments to clarify ambiguities and address issues like the form of governance and electoral system, opposition parties have voiced skepticism regarding the task force's process and objectives. The situation continues to develop as consultations proceed.