KATHMANDU, Aug 22: A preliminary draft of a high-level probe committee to investigate gold smuggling has been prepared. The draft of the high-level probe committee was prepared by a task force consisting of the leaders of the three major political parties, in the meeting held at Singha Durbar on Tuesday morning.

In an all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday, after the government agreed to form a high-level probe committee to investigate the case, the CPN-UML vice-chairman Subash Chandra Nemwang, Nepali Congress chief whip Ramesh Lekhak and CPN (Maoist Center) chief whip Hit Raj Pandey were entrusted with the task of drafting it.

Pandey, chief whip of the CPN (Maoist Center), confirmed that they have fulfilled their responsibility by preparing the draft, which will be presented at the upcoming all-party meeting to be held shortly.

He said, "The honorable Prime Minister has called a meeting of the national parties at around 2PM today. In the meeting that was convened, we had a discussion about how to create a draft of it. We have successfully accomplished the task and will report back in that meeting. The three of us sat and discussed and carried out our assigned responsibilities.”

The main opposition party UML has been obstructing the parliamentary proceedings since July 26, demanding the formation of a high-level probe committee to investigate gold smuggling. In the meeting held yesterday, after the ruling party agreed to form the committee, the parties formed a task force to prepare its draft. The leaders said that following discussions in the all-party meeting to finalize these aspects, parliamentary activities are expected to resume.

 
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