KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal has said that local governments should focus on long-term planning rather than short-term politics.

He made the remarks during a program organized by Tokha Municipality in Kathmandu on Sunday to collect advice and suggestions for drafting the policies, programs, and budget for the fiscal year 2026/27.

He argued that the time has come to rise above political gains and work for the future.

“The current elected representatives of local levels have the opportunity to work in a way that the generation 20 to 25 years from now will remember. Therefore, focus on long-term planning rather than short-term politics,” Minister Khanal said.

He pointed out that while the southern part of Tokha is densely populated, the northern part still has open land, and emphasized the need to focus on building a well-managed city. He mentioned that it is essential to promote tourism by organizing Tokha’s historical Newari settlement and the Saturday market.

He added that homestay tourism could be developed in Tokha. Minister Khanal noted that expanding the Tokha-Chhahare tunnel would put many settlements in Tokha at risk due to standard regulations, so an alternative must be found.

He suggested that developing the Sangla rivulet Corridor and the Bishnumati rivulet Corridor as alternative routes for the highway could lead to building an international-standard road at a lower cost and with less damage.

Similarly, Bagmati Province Assembly Member Hari Prabha Khadgi Shrestha said that citizens have high expectations from the local government, so policies and programs should be formulated keeping the public at the center, within the limits of available resources and means.

Shrestha argued that no one should play politics with development work. Former Minister Dr. Banshidhar Mishra said that laws should be formulated and implemented in accordance with the rights granted by the Constitution. He mentioned that the local government should work according to the wishes and aspirations of the local people.

Mayor of Tokha Municipality, Prakash Adhikari, assured that the municipality will formulate the upcoming year’s policies and programs by incorporating the opinions, suggestions, and advice provided by the public.