Govt wouldn't make laws to snatch citizen's freedom

 Kathmandu, Feb 21

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has assured that the government would not enact any laws and policies to snatch away the freedom of the citizens under any pretext.

"I would like to assure that the laws that this government enacts will not snatch away the freedom of any citizen of the nation but while exercising that right and freedom, you must not harm others," he said while speaking at a programme organised to launch a book 'Rajesh Kazi Shrestha: Byaktitwo ra Yogdan' (personality and contribution) published by Ishwor Lal Foundation.

He stated that the government would not take any action that violates the right to freedom of expression, as he and his colleagues have fought against restrictions on speech in the past.

PM Oli said that the government must work for and initiate a proper legal environment to protect national interest, freedom of speech and exercise of rights.

However, he maintained that the government and other concerned agencies have the responsibility to discourage and check misinformation, disinformation and publication of harmful content.

He criticised some people who had previously worked with him on drafting policies. He remarked that these individuals were now making loud claims on social media that freedom of expression was under threat because of the proposed social media bill.

“They were the ones who imposed a ban on TikTok in the past. We lifted that ban. Now, the same people are suddenly championing free speech, insisting that everyone should have the right to say anything,” said PM Oli.

According to him, freedom does not mean spreading unrest in the country, disturbing peace and security, or inciting social discord. One should not go to unfamiliar places to provoke unrest or make reckless statements.

PM Oli also said that good governance is the first fundamental to achieve prosperity, but it has long been a challenge in Nepal.

The government is in the process of facilitating business and investment with the reform in policies and laws, and the latest effort to address the legal hurdles in business was the amendment to 'business un-friendly' provisions through ordinances, said PM Oli.

PM Oli appreciated the initiative to shed light on the contributions of the businessperson Shrestha and said that such an initiative should be followed by others. "I urge one and all to take this initiative as a symbol and take up many more to honour other people who made their contributions to various sectors of society," he said.

Stating that Shrestha has made extraordinary contributions to the business and economic development of the country, PM Oli said that as a business leader, Shrestha had helped the government with pragmatic suggestions and solutions.

Shrestha had served as the president of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) for three terms, and president of the Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a binational chamber. He runs various businesses including hospitality, automobile, trading and travel and tours. Major companies of his involvement are Arksh Group, Constant Business Group, International Business, Ajima Trade Syndicate, Hotel Rara, Hotel Peace and Destination Management Travel and Tour.

Born in 1961 in Kathmandu, Shrestha was elected the working committee member of the NCC in 1989 and elected president of the organisation in 1999. He was reelected to the post  in 2014. He is also the coordinator of the Binational Chamber Alliance.

He also served briefly as the assistant minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies in 2004. Shrestha is heading International Chamber of Commerce, Nepal and Nepal Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and is serving as the honorary advisor to various binational chambers and business associations.

Shrestha was honoured with a Honorary PhD in international diplomacy by the Foreign Policy Research Institute of India in 2010. He is the Honorary Consul of Vietnam to Nepal. Likewise, he was decorated with Sukritimaya Rashtradeep (third class) medal, Suprabal Janasewa Shri medal, Bikhyat Trishakti Patta (third), Suprabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu (third) and Prakhyat Trishakti Patta and Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 February 2025.