MoFA authenticates and issues over 25,000 passports following recent technical stabilization of central distribution systems.

August 8, Kathmandu: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented major operational, diplomatic, and consular updates during its regular press briefing in Kathmandu today.

On consular services, over 25,000 passports have been printed under the new live system since mid-July, supported by extended two-shift operations. Emergency walk-in provisions and weekend operations remain active to handle rising service demand across domestic and international outlets, alongside the official launch of the digital Nepal e-Attestation System for online document verification.

On overseas citizen welfare, a total of 860 Nepalis have been rescued from online scam centers across Southeast Asia to date. Embassy efforts in Cambodia continue for 76 detained citizens, while 18 Nepalis held in Myanmar were granted early release and are undergoing repatriation. Repatriation operations also concluded for a Nepali national killed during recent attacks in northern Kuwait, while high-altitude retrieval efforts remain underway in Pakistan following the Broad Peak avalanche.

On the diplomatic front, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal hosted high-level talks with representatives from Mongolia, Morocco, South Korea, and BIMSTEC. Bilaterally, the 15th Nepal-India Joint Committee on Inundation and Flood Management concluded today in Nepal, with both sides finalizing technical preparations for upcoming boundary survey meetings in Lucknow.

Additionally, the ministry reported an 82 percent overall execution rate for its annual milestone targets, launched the MOFA Knowledge Forum for evidence-based policy research, and formally deposited instruments of ratification for two fundamental International Labour Organization conventions.