Gurkha Pensions, Citizenship and Overseas Representation Discussed with Barshaman Pun in UK
ALDERSHOT, UK, October 4, 2026 — The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) UK held an interaction with former minister and Nepali Communist Party (NCP) leader Barshaman Pun to discuss former Gurkhas’ pensions, the continuation of citizenship by descent, and voting rights for Nepalis living abroad.
Held at Sushimoto Restaurant in Aldershot on Sunday, the event brought together representatives of community organisations, who raised longstanding Gurkha grievances and the political rights of overseas Nepalis.
During the programme, Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) International Coordination Council Vice-President Biswasdip Tigela presented Pun with a memorandum calling for the creation of a separate overseas electoral constituency. Tigela, who has been campaigning for parliamentary representation for Nepalis abroad, proposed a system allowing overseas Nepali citizens to directly elect their representatives to Nepal’s federal parliament.
Responding to questions about former Gurkhas’ pensions, Pun said discussions between the governments of Nepal and the United Kingdom were continuing. He said pension-related issues were being pursued through negotiations and dialogue.
On the continuation of citizenship by descent, Pun emphasised the immediate need to make the existing non-resident Nepali citizenship framework more effective. Better implementation would make it easier for eligible individuals to retain ancestral property, buy and sell land and homes, and invest in Nepal with confidence, he said.
Pun attributed delays in fully implementing the non-resident Nepali citizenship provisions to political changes and bureaucratic inefficiency. He said allowing former Gurkhas to retain citizenship by descent would require a constitutional amendment.
Addressing voting rights for Nepalis abroad, Pun noted that various countries use electronic, postal and internet voting systems. He said studies had indicated substantial costs associated with operating such systems, adding that Nepal would need to consider whether it could afford the necessary expenditure.
The programme was chaired by NEFIN UK President Major Yogesh Kumar Koyi Rai and conducted by General Secretary Fram Bahadur Dura, with Pun attending as chief guest.
Speakers included Major Yogesh Kumar Koyi Rai, Fram Bahadur Dura, Treasurer Major Indra Prasad Rai, Founding President Tharka Rana Magar, immediate past president Karma Pahadi Sherpa, and former NEFIN Belgium President Birman Gharti Magar.
Senior Vice-President of Magar Association UK Rudra Thapa Magar, Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation (GAESO) Chairman Krishna Kumar Rai, NRNA ICC Vice-President Biswasdip Tigela and NCP youth leader Basanta Rai also shared their views.
Other attendees included NEFIN UK adviser and Everest Times UK editor Dut Pun, also known as Chimkhole Kaila; Gurkha Media Managing Director Milan Tamu; Man Gurung; and performer Asmita Rana Magar, who presented a dance during the event.
