Kathmandu: Nepal is on the verge of a major political transition after days of youth-led protests forced Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to resign. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki is widely expected to be named the country’s interim Prime Minister, with a decision anticipated following consultations at the presidential residence.

Sources said President Ramchandra Paudel, along with army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel and constitutional experts, met Friday morning to finalize the appointment. Karki, Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, has been endorsed by the youth movement that led weeks of nationwide demonstrations calling for political reform and accountability.

The protests, driven largely by the country’s younger generation, erupted after the government imposed and later revoked a controversial social media ban. Frustrations over corruption, unemployment, and lack of opportunities turned into a broader anti-establishment movement, leaving at least 34 people dead and more than 1,300 injured.

While Karki has strong backing, her potential appointment raises legal questions over whether a former judge without a parliamentary seat can serve as interim Prime Minister.

Constitutional experts are weighing in to ensure the transition aligns with Nepal’s laws.

Other names, including Kulman Ghising, the former head of Nepal Electricity Authority, and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, have also been mentioned as alternatives. However, youth groups appear united behind Karki, who is seen as a non-partisan figure capable of guiding the nation toward stability.

For now, curfews remain in several cities, though signs of normalcy are slowly returning as shops reopen and security patrols ease. The coming hours are expected to be decisive in shaping Nepal’s path forward, with the interim leadership tasked with restoring calm and preparing for political reforms.