KATHMANDU: Minister for Education, Science and Technology Mahabir Pun has said that he is not willing to go abroad in his capacity as a minister, as simply traveling abroad will not improve the country’s economy.

Minister Pun stated that he had been invited to three foreign trips and programs previously but did not attend them, and he has now clarified through social media that he will not be attending two invitations he has received recently.

“No matter who the Prime Minister or Finance Minister is, there will be no progress unless the country’s economy is improved, because doing anything requires money. Will the economy improve just by traveling abroad,” the Education Minister wondered.

He has also made public the invitation letters he received to attend the ministerial meeting in Jerusalem, Israel, from February 4 to 6, and the ‘Human Capacity Initiative’ program in Saudi Arabia from May 3 to 4.