RSP MP Bishwaraj Pokharel Emphasizes Strengthening National Investigation Department

Kathmandu. Ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Bishwaraj Pokharel has stated that the issue of how to make the National Investigation Department strong and professional is more important than the debate over which body it should be placed under. Pokharel expressed this view while speaking on the 'Bill to Revive the Previous Provisions of the Nepal Special Service Act, 2042' during a meeting of the State Management and Good Governance Committee. He noted that both the Home Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office have strong arguments for placing the department under them, clarifying that structural placement alone does not ensure the effectiveness of an institution. Commenting on the current state of Nepal's intelligence agency, he said that the department has not yet been able to play a proactive role in providing pre-information. He stated that the department is always active in collecting information only after an incident has occurred and has not developed the capacity to formulate concrete strategies based on information. Pokharel pointed out that the department's working style is still traditional. Citing examples of powerful global intelligence agencies like ISI, RAW, and CIA, he said that lessons should be learned from how these agencies guide their governments. Emphasizing that the department should not be merely a showpiece, he demanded that it be restructured to face national and external security challenges by arranging a new recruitment system, adequate budget, and modern resources. Speaking at the meeting, he said, 'Both the Home Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office have their own strong arguments.' He further added, 'Therefore, under which body it remains is secondary.' He clarified that the main question is how to strengthen it and establish it as a reliable pillar of national security. He stated that they are still limited to Panchayat-era information collection and are lagging behind in the use of technology. He said that the situation of receiving information before an incident occurs and formulating strategies against it has not yet been created. Pokharel also drew the government's attention to seriously discuss and invest in developing the department's capacity and strength according to national needs without wasting time.