"Nepal is likely to miss the April 2010 deadline set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for introducing machine-readable passports, as progress in this regard is very slow.

Missing the deadline will affect Nepalis traveling abroad as they will not be able to carry Machine Readable Travel Documents. Carrying conventional passports for travel abroad after mid-April 2010 is subject to punishment."

i took this paragraph from www.hamroaawaz.com... if you want to read more go too the link provided ---> http://hamroaawaz.com/?p=2912

through the article i came to know that Nepal has already committed itself to the International Civil Aviation Organization to introduce machine-readable passports by April 2010 which i believe, Nepalese government will not be able to do it since i heard that they've not even begun doing anything about it... please shed some light on it...

thanks...

Buddy, stop reading news sites that print crap. Machine readable passport is must only to enter those country which has Visa Wavier for your country. If you possess a Valid visa, it doesn't matter what kinda passport you're carrying. There is absolutely no punishment as mentioned in the news.