Candidates vow to tap ICT's power for development

Kathmandu, Feb. 27

Political parties said on Friday that the development of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector should move towards implementation and beyond inclusion in election manifestos.

Speaking at the second edition of Digital Leadership Dialogue organised by ICT Foundation Nepal in Kathmandu, leaders of several parties acknowledged that the time has come to translate manifesto commitments into action.

They said IT has now become a shared national agenda rather than only an electoral issue.

Their commitments included promoting digital governance, infrastructure development, reducing the digital divide, strengthening skills development, improving digital literacy, and prioritising STEM education.

Anand Raj Khanal, President of Nepal Digital Lead and former Senior Director of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, said that while political manifestos prioritise ICT, they lack a realistic assessment of current challenges.

"Future-oriented commitments would remain unfulfilled if present issues are not addressed," he said.

Shree Gurung of the Ujyalo Nepal Party proposed allocating at least one per cent of national income to innovation, start-ups and technology. According to him, Nepal’s green energy and water resources could support the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

Gajendra Budhathoki of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party said that long-term investment in IT has been limited and attributed existing progress largely to private sector efforts. According to him, resources needed for ITC sector development could be managed by checking the revenue leakage.

Keshav Aryal of the Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party stressed the need for individuals with ICT expertise in policymaking roles.

Likewise, Dr. Netra Timilsina of the CPN-UML called for increased state investment in digital infrastructure. Dr. Beduram Bhusal of the Nepali Communist Party acknowledged weak implementation of past commitments.

Similarly, Rajan Koirala of the Rastriya Swatantra Party said that time has come to materialise the commitments made by the political parties and the government. He expressed concerns over the human resource mismatch as well.

Dr. Amita Pradhan of the Nepali Congress also emphasised implementation and policy strengthening while also creating basic mechanism for the ICT development.  

Bijay Babu Shiwakoti of the Gatisheel Loktantrik Party urged utilisation of the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund for expanding digital infrastructure. He also said that the government should implement programmes to support start-ups and youth entrepreneurship in IT sector.  

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 February 2026.