Thu Dec 11 01:30:00 UTC 2025: Nepal Files Charges in Pokhara Airport Corruption Scandal, Targets Chinese Firm and Former Officials

KATHMANDU – Nepal’s anti-graft agency has filed charges against 55 individuals, including five former ministers, senior bureaucrats, and the Chinese state-owned China CAMC Engineering Company, in a massive corruption case surrounding the construction of the Pokhara International Airport. The charges allege that construction costs were inflated, leading to significant overpayments.

The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is seeking to recover NPR 8.36 billion ($74.34 million) from the defendants, who are accused of manipulating the airport’s cost estimate with malicious intent. The Pokhara International Airport, built with loans from China Exim Bank, has not seen a single international scheduled flight since its inauguration in January 2023 and has raised concerns about Nepal’s ability to repay its loans.

The filing follows investigations by the CIAA and a parliamentary committee, which found irregularities and corruption in the $216 million project. Concerns about transparency and negotiations have dogged the project since its inception, with allegations of closed-door deals and inflated bids.

Madan Krishna Sharma, President of Transparency International Nepal, called the case a well-known corruption scandal involving nearly all major political parties and hailed the CIAA’s actions as a positive step. The case comes amid broader concerns about Nepal’s reliance on Chinese loans and technical expertise, as well as Beijing’s growing influence in the country.

Analysts say the case highlights the systemic nature of corruption in Nepal, exacerbated by limited oversight and political instability. The case is unfolding under a non-political government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, installed after youth-led protests against corruption, and amid promises to combat corruption before general elections in March. While the case is viewed as a positive step, challenges remain in ensuring a timely resolution.

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