KATHMANDU, Sept. 14: Hours after taking charge as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki on Sunday pledged to steer the nation toward stability, justice, and economic recovery while preparing for fresh parliamentary elections within six months.
“I and my team are not here to taste power. We won’t stay for more than six months. We will hand over the responsibility to the new parliament. We won’t succeed without your support,” Karki said during a press conference at Singha Durbar, shortly after assuming office.
Karki, 73, the country’s first female Chief Justice and now its first female Prime Minister, has emerged as the political face of the Gen Z-led movement that shook Nepal on September 8. The nationwide protests, demanding economic reforms, accountability, and an end to corruption, led to the resignation of former PM K.P. Sharma Oli.
Recognition for Protest Victims
Karki announced that all 72 people killed in the protests—including 59 demonstrators, 10 prison inmates, and three police officers—will be officially recognised as martyrs.
“Their families will receive NRs one million each in compensation. Expenses of the injured will be covered by the government, and additional support will be provided,” she said.
She added that the government will facilitate the transfer of bodies to their home districts and assist families whose properties were destroyed during the unrest. Compensation measures may include soft loans or direct state aid, she noted.
Investigations and Reconstruction
Karki assured that all acts of vandalism and violence would be investigated, stressing that accountability applies to all sides.
She also highlighted economic reconstruction as a priority: “We are in an economic crisis. We should discuss and work on rebuilding the economy while preparing for elections.”
Election Preparations Move Online
In a first for Nepal, the interim government announced that preliminary discussions on electoral reforms will be hosted on Discord to ensure transparency and direct engagement with the youth. This move aims to involve citizens, especially first-time voters, in shaping the upcoming elections scheduled for early next year.
The decision reflects the influence of the tech-savvy Gen Z movement, which forced political change and now demands an open, participatory approach to governance.