Despite Thursday’s sweeping directive to shut down 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, government insiders say Facebook is unlikely to be closed in Nepal anytime soon. The reason: from the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers to top political leaders across parties, nearly all remain highly active on Facebook, using it daily to communicate with citizens.

Sources further reveal that diplomatic missions in Kathmandu — including the United States Embassy — have quietly expressed concern to authorities over the potential impact of such a ban on freedom of expression and public diplomacy. “This is not just a technical issue, it has political and diplomatic dimensions,” one official familiar with the matter said.

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority had instructed internet service providers to block Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter (X), WhatsApp and others, citing the platforms’ failure to complete the mandatory registration process. Yet the glaring contradiction of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli himself posting on Facebook only hours before the order was issued has fueled strong criticism.

Analysts note that enforcing a Facebook ban while political leaders, state institutions, and even foreign embassies rely on it would be “practically impossible” and politically costly. For now, officials suggest, the ban directive remains more of a pressure tactic to push companies like Meta into compliance rather than an imminent blackout.

Sources say that even if Facebook is temporarily closed, the shutdown will not last more than 48 hours.

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