The Lumbini Development National Directive Committee has appealed to all not to make "unnecessary" remarks over UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's planned visit to Nepal in April.

The meeting of the Committee held on Friday clarified that the UN Secretary General is making the high-level visit at the Prime Ministerial Level to focus on development of Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha, and requested everyone not to make any kind of unnecessary comments.

Main opposition Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala recently expressed dissatisfaction at the proposed visit of Ban to Nepal in April, saying that the visit during such a critical period when all political parties are busy thrashing out disputes and differences among themselves could affect the peace and constitution writing process. The deadline for writing the new constitution also expires on May 27.

The Committee has decided to take the required initiatives to make Ban's Nepal visit "fruitful", said NC leader Dr. Minendra Rijal, who is also member of the Committee, after the meeting.

Meanwhile, the UN headquarters is yet to officially confirm Ban's Nepal's visit as Nepal is yet to send a formal invite to the UN Secretary General. Reports quoted a high level official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) as saying that the invitation, most likely at the PM level, would be extended to Ban within the next couple of days. nepalnews.com