Nepal’s new interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, took charge of the government at a historic and volatile moment, only days after a massive youth-led uprising forced the resignation of KP Sharma Oli. In her first address, Karki made it clear that her administration was not formed to cling to political authority but rather to guide the nation through a six-month transition period until fresh elections could be held. Stressing that her cabinet would serve as caretakers, she promised to hand over power to the newly elected Parliament after her tenure, urging citizens to support the interim government in the difficult months ahead.
The 73-year-old former Chief Justice, who is also the first woman to assume Nepal’s premiership, vowed to restore stability in a country battered by corruption, inequality, and an intensifying financial crisis. Karki underlined that the government’s immediate mission was rebuilding the economy and responding to the aspirations of the younger generation. She acknowledged that the Gen Z movement, which erupted after a social media ban but drew energy from years of anger over misgovernance, had set the tone for a new kind of politics. According to her, the nation could only move forward if all stakeholders joined hands to rebuild the trust between citizens and their leaders.
In her remarks, Karki expressed sorrow over the human cost of the protests that left at least 51 people dead and over 1,300 injured. She announced that those killed during the demonstrations would be honoured as martyrs, with their families receiving financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each. Additional aid would be extended to those injured, as a gesture of recognition for the sacrifices made during what she termed the Gen Z Revolution. She described the youth-led movement as an extraordinary show of resilience, noting that the continuous protests lasting 27 hours were unprecedented in Nepal’s history.
Alongside her commitments to relief, the interim Prime Minister also signalled accountability for the violence that broke out during the protests. She ordered a judicial probe into the incidents of arson, looting, and murder that swept through Kathmandu and other cities on September 9. Alleging that the destruction of homes and properties was orchestrated by coordinated groups rather than by ordinary demonstrators, Karki vowed that those responsible would be identified and punished. At the same time, she stressed that the youth’s peaceful demands for equality and a corruption-free system must not be overshadowed by conspiracies aimed at destabilising the state.
Karki’s swearing-in on Friday evening brought an end to days of political uncertainty after Oli’s resignation. Her appointment was widely supported by Gen Z leaders, who saw her as a figure of integrity and independence, untainted by party politics. The following day, President Ram Chandra Poudel dissolved Parliament on the interim government’s recommendation and announced fresh elections scheduled for March 5 next year. The decision signalled a clear roadmap for Nepal’s political future, aligning with Karki’s pledge to act only as a caretaker until a new Parliament was in place.
The leadership transition drew international attention, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating Karki and calling her elevation to the post a “shining example of women’s empowerment.” The acknowledgment underscored Nepal’s shifting political landscape and its potential to inspire regional conversations on governance and inclusivity.
Meanwhile, daily life in Kathmandu began returning to normalcy as curfews were lifted and restrictions eased. Shops, markets, and malls reopened after days of closure, while traffic gradually resumed on the streets. Though the scars of the protests remain fresh, the easing of tensions reflected a cautious optimism that Nepal, under Karki’s caretaker leadership, could begin charting a new course toward accountability, unity, and national renewal.
