Nepal Speaker directs PM to face House questions for first time

For the first time since the current House of Representatives began operating, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has ordered Prime Minister Balendra Shah to attend a parliamentary session and respond to questions from lawmakers. The directive, issued Monday, invokes House rules that require the prime minister to be present and address queries concerning his duties.

Aryal acknowledged the protests by lawmakers who have been demanding a question-and-answer session with the prime minister. He specifically cited Rule 56 of the House of Representatives Rules, 2026, which allows for such sessions during the first week of each month. The Speaker instructed the prime minister to attend the upcoming meeting and answer questions in accordance with rules 56 through 60.

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I have taken note of the protests by lawmakers, who have for some time been demanding a question-and-answer session with the prime minister on important matters concerning the prime minister or his areas of responsibility, as provided under Rule 56 of the House of Representatives Rules, 2026.

However, the Speaker did not issue a specific directive regarding the opposition's protests over remarks Shah made on May 31. During that session, the prime minister stated that Nepal had also encroached on Indian territory. Opposition members have been seeking an explanation from Shah since that meeting.

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In this context, I direct the right honourable prime minister to attend the House meeting and answer lawmakers’ questions in accordance with Rules 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60 of the regulations.