Surkhet, May 12 -- Karnali Province's ambitious 'Digital Karnali' campaign, launched to transform the region into Nepal's first fully digital province, is facing growing criticism from local officials and citizens alike. While provincial leaders celebrate digital development in high-profile events, the region's remote communities continue to grapple with chronic shortages of electricity, telephone, and internet access.

The provincial Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law, in collaboration with the ICT Foundation, hosted the Digital Karnali Conclave in Birendranagar on April 22-23. The two-day event, held in a luxury hotel, drew nearly 40 speakers and over 700 participants. However, many attendees questioned the event's relevance given the...