Kathmandu: Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has vowed to confront the governance failures that triggered one of the country’s deadliest waves of youth-driven unrest in recent memory. Speaking on the 10th anniversary of Nepal’s constitution, Karki promised sweeping reforms aimed at restoring trust in institutions, creating jobs, and tackling corruption.
Earlier this month, Nepal witnessed violent demonstrations led largely by its younger generation, popularly called the “Gen Z protests.” Fueled by anger over corruption, unemployment, and the perceived betrayal of constitutional ideals, the movement grew rapidly across the country. However, it spiraled into chaos, leaving at least 72 people dead and more than 2,100 injured.
Protesters targeted government buildings and private property alike. Flames engulfed sections of the Prime Minister’s Office, while Parliament and the Supreme Court bore the marks of vandalism. Even high-end hotels and businesses were not spared, underscoring the scale of public fury.
The unrest eventually forced the resignation of then-Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, whose administration was accused of failing to address youth grievances and ignoring the widening gap between government promises and lived realities. His exit created a political vacuum, one that the appointment of Karki as interim Prime Minister was meant to fill.
Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice of Nepal and the first woman to hold both the nation’s highest judicial and executive offices, stepped into leadership at a moment of national reckoning. In her address, she acknowledged that the unrest was rooted in “failures to fulfill the spirit and objectives of the constitution.”
Her reform agenda includes cracking down on corruption, expanding job opportunities, improving living standards, and strengthening transparency in governance. She also pledged to ensure that parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, 2026 will take place on time, a crucial step toward political stability.
Karki’s interim government has already begun forming a cabinet, with at least three ministers chosen for their reputations as reformers. However, the challenges ahead remain daunting. Public faith in institutions has eroded, and citizens particularly the young are demanding immediate results.
Analysts note that Karki’s leadership will be judged not by promises but by action. Restoring order, compensating for damages, ensuring accountability for protest casualties, and delivering tangible economic opportunities will test the interim government’s resolve.
For many, the Gen Z protests symbolized more than discontent they represented a generational demand for a government that listens, acts, and delivers. As Nepal’s interim leader, Karki must now turn that demand into a credible political roadmap. Whether her administration can convert public frustration into renewed trust will determine the future of Nepal’s democracy in the coming years.