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Sushil Pyakurel turns down ambassadorial role

A cabinet meeting held on Friday had recommended Pyakurel, a human rights activist, as the ambassador to South Korea under the quota of CPN (UML). 

Kathmandu: Sushil Pyakurel, who was nominated as the ambassador to South Korea, has declined the position and sent a letter to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal requesting the withdrawal of his nomination. 

Issuing a statement, Pyakurel said that he turned down the role because he was not consulted prior to the nomination. He felt that the government did not consider the established criteria for such appointments set by previous governments. 

In a statement released on Sunday, Pyakurel expressed surprise at the government’s practice of not discussing the background, qualifications, and familiarity with the political, economic, and social conditions of the host country before appointing ambassadors. 

“There is a need for thorough discussions on the criteria set by previous governments for ambassadorial appointments, the rationale behind parliamentary hearings, and the tenure of ambassadors,” he said. 

A cabinet meeting held on Friday had recommended Pyakurel as the ambassador to South Korea under the quota of CPN (UML). Pyakurel, a former member of the National Human Rights Commission and an advisor to former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, was slated to succeed Jyoti Pyakurel Bhandari in the role.