Kathmandu, Feb. 28 -- Despite clearing their tax dues, internet service providers (ISPs) in Nepal are facing delays from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in recommending foreign currency exchange. This comes amid mounting pressure from upstream service providers and increases the risk of an internet shutdown.

"Even though we have cleared our dues, we have not received the recommendation from the communication ministry for foreign currency exchange to pay our upstream service providers. The upstream providers are pressuring us, questioning why they have not been paid yet despite the dues being cleared, but the government is not taking action," said Parajuli.

Internet service providers report that upstream service...