Minister Kharel Affirms Enduring Relevance of Postal Service in Nepal, Calls for ‘Smart’ Modernization
9th October 2025, Kathmandu
On the occasion of World Post Day, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, delivered a compelling address in Kathmandu, asserting that the relevance and necessity of Nepal’s postal service are far from diminished in the modern digital landscape.
Relevance of Postal Service
The minister stressed that while the world has rapidly digitalized, the postal network retains a crucial, irreplaceable role in national connectivity, particularly for rural and underserved communities. His message was a strong call for immediate, strategic modernization to transform the system into a “Smart Postal Service Nepal”—a competitive, professional, and business-oriented enterprise fit for the 21st century.
A Necessity That Has Not Died
Minister Kharel directly challenged the narrative that the postal service is an outdated relic. He insisted that the fundamental need for a reliable physical and logistical network remains intact, especially in a geographically diverse nation like Nepal. The postal service continues to be a vital artery for:
Rural Communication: Bridging the digital divide by serving as the primary communication and document delivery channel for areas with limited internet and digital infrastructure.
Logistics and E-Commerce Facilitation: With the rise of e-commerce in Nepal, the extensive physical network of post offices across the country presents a unique opportunity to provide last-mile delivery and logistical support, which private courier services often find expensive or challenging to maintain.
Financial Inclusion: Historically and potentially, the postal system can play a leading role in extending basic financial services, such as postal banking and remittance payments, to the poor, less educated, and rural populations—groups that traditional commercial banks struggle to reach. Globally, postal networks are increasingly utilized as agents for digital financial services (DFSs), a model Nepal’s system is poised to adopt.
The minister acknowledged the historical significance and institutional legacy of the postal system, which celebrated its role in connecting people, communities, and economies on World Post Day, a day commemorating the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874.
The Imperative for Modernization and Reform
Minister Kharel’s primary directive was clear: to move past the traditional model and embrace technology to make the postal service competitive. He emphasized that modernization is not optional but a matter of survival and national utility. Key areas for transformation include:
Technological Integration: Implementing digital systems for efficient logistics, such as online parcel tracking, and fully integrating digital payment solutions. Previous modernization attempts have focused on initiatives like using Google Plus Code for better mail delivery in the absence of a complete address system, highlighting the need for technology to solve systemic challenges.
Structural and Policy Overhaul: The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing outdated policies and structural weaknesses. The goal is to grant the postal service greater autonomy to operate as a professional business entity, much like a corporation, enabling it to better compete with the burgeoning private courier industry. This is essential, especially considering previous challenges such as the temporary suspension of outbound international mail due to issues with contractual airlines and the subsequent loss of revenue to more expensive private operators.
Enhancing Efficiency and Trust: Historical challenges, including concerns over timely delivery, transparency, and the lack of a universal door-to-door delivery system, which forces citizens to travel to a post office and sometimes incur extra costs, must be addressed head-on. Minister Kharel’s call for a “Smart Postal Service” is directly aimed at enhancing efficiency, making services citizen-focused, and rebuilding public trust.
The government is actively exploring strategies to ensure the postal system is a digitally integrated, customer-friendly, and revenue-generating institution that is in harmony with Nepal’s growing digital economy. This aligns with broader national efforts, such as the Minister’s recent decision to implement free Wi-Fi in public places in 10 cities, indicating a wider push for public access to information technology.
World Post Day and the Path Forward
The celebratory event in Kathmandu included the release of four new postal stamps, a symbolic act that honored the postal service’s rich history while looking forward to its evolution. By participating in this ceremony, Minister Kharel reinforced that the government sees the postal service as a continuous journey of value and evolution, not a static entity awaiting dissolution.
The Minister’s message serves as a foundational blueprint for reform, emphasizing that collective effort, policy clarity, and innovation are the keys to making Nepal’s postal service a source of national pride and an essential pillar of a well-connected, modern society. The focus on integrating digital capability with a vast physical network ensures the postal service remains deeply relevant to the practical and evolving communication needs of all Nepalis, from the most connected urban centers to the remotest villages.
For More: Relevance of Postal Service
