The PAC, which is also investigating a recent lease agreement between the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) and Austria's Lauda Air, has decided to summon the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to a hearing next week.

Executive Chairman of RNAC Hari Bhakta Shrestha and several high officials of the ministry took to the stand to explain the leasing process done through a quotation and negotiations rather than open bidding. Royal Nepal has agreed to lease a 12-year-old aircraft from the charter airline. The officials told the committee that the council of ministers had approved the decision and that RNAC had already sent $1 million to Lauda Air to lock the deal. Shrestha added that RNAC had gone for direct negotiations after failing to lease aircraft through open bidding, which has always been controversial. PAC will continue the hearing next week