Prime Minister Sushila Karki assumes office
Announces financial support for families of protest victims.
Hemanta Shrestha/TKP
Sushila Karki formally took charge as Nepal’s prime minister on Sunday, two days after being appointed to lead the interim government.
Karki, a former chief justice, was sworn in on Friday by President Ramchandra Paudel following demands from the Gen Z movement.
Before assuming the office on Sunday, she visited the Martyrs’ Memorial at Lainchaur and laid a garland at the statues of national martyrs.
She then began her duties from the Home Ministry’s building in Singha Durbar. The Prime Minister’s Office was shifted there after the building was set on fire during the protest on Tuesday.
One of Karki’s decisions was to provide relief to victims of last week’s protests. Chief Secretary Eknarayan Aryal said the government has declared those killed in the Gen Z movement as martyrs, with each bereaved family to receive Rs1 million as immediate support to them.
Aryal added that the government has also directed hospitals to provide free medical treatment to the injured, and treatment has already begun under the new decision.
Newly appointed Prime Minister Karki on Saturday visited various hospitals in Kathmandu and met the injured protesters receiving treatment.Kathmandu Post
At least 19 dead in Nepal after Gen Z protests at corruption and social media ban
At least 19 people have been killed and dozens injured in Nepal after demonstrations against political corruption and a government social media ban led to clashes between protesters and security forces.
Thousands heeded a call by demonstrators describing themselves as Generation Z to gather near the parliament building in Kathmandu over the decision to ban platforms including Facebook, X and YouTube, as well as over wider dissatisfaction with the government.
Kathmandu Valley Police spokesman Shekhar Khanal said 17 people were killed in the capital.
Two were also killed in the eastern city of Itahari while protesting after the curfew order was announced, local police said.BBC
Sushila Karki sworn in as interim Prime Minister
KATHMANDU: Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki took the oath of office on Friday as the head of Nepal’s interim government, administered by President Ram Chandra Paudel under Article 61 of the Constitution.
Following her appointment, President Paudel dissolved the House of Representatives, paving the way for fresh parliamentary elections.
The election date will be determined by the Council of Ministers.
Karki’s appointment comes after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday amid widespread Gen-Z protests demanding accountability and political reform.
The Nepali Army played a key role in facilitating dialogue between the protest movement and the President.
During these discussions, the movement recommended Karki to lead the transitional administration.
The interim government is expected to oversee preparations for the upcoming elections and ensure a smooth political transition.Nepal News
Death tolls and reporting: varied national and international counts
Reports on casualties during the September unrest varied across outlets as authorities updated figures and search teams recovered bodies. Local and regional outlets reported rising fatalities as investigations and searches continued; international outlets documented initial and later counts as official numbers changed in the days after the clashes. Sources covered both immediate deaths during confrontations and subsequent discoveries linked to the unrest.Kathmandu Post | BBC
Background and immediate tasks for the interim government
The interim administration led by Karki is charged with stabilising the country, investigating the violence of the Gen Z protests, coordinating relief and medical treatment for the injured, and preparing for fresh parliamentary elections after the dissolution of the House of Representatives.Kathmandu Post | Nepal News
How local, regional and global media framed the events
- Nepalese outlets focused on the political transition, relief measures for victims and the interim government’s immediate actions in Singha Durbar and hospitals.Kathmandu Post
- Regional Indian and South Asian media tracked casualty updates and diplomatic responses while noting implications for regional stability.Kathmandu Post
- International outlets emphasised the human rights implications, the role of social media restrictions in triggering protests, and calls for transparent investigations into use of force.BBC
Related coverage and further reading
- Prime Minister Sushila Karki assumes office — Kathmandu Post
- Sushila Karki sworn in as interim Prime Minister — Nepal News
- At least 19 dead in Gen Z protests — BBC
Share Your Thoughts
- How should the interim government prioritise investigations and accountability after the Gen Z protests?
- What measures could effectively address young people’s grievances without restricting online platforms?
- How can Nepal balance security concerns with rights to protest and free expression?
- What role should regional partners play in supporting a peaceful, fair election process?
- What lessons from other countries’ youth-led movements might apply in Nepal?