Nepal Appoints First Female Prime Minister Amidst Unrest and Calls for Reform

Nepal’s First Female Prime Minister Assembles New Cabinet Amid Unrest

Published On: September 15, 2025

In a historic move, Nepal’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sushila Karki has announced the formation of her interim government, just days after the dissolution of parliament triggered by violent protests that left at least 72 people dead. Karki, who made headlines as the Himalayan nation’s first female leader, has appointed three key ministers to help steer the country towards stability until national elections are scheduled for early March.

In a televised ceremony held outside the fire-damaged presidential office, President Ramchandra Paudel swore in Om Prakash Aryal as Home Minister, Rameshwar Prasad Khanal as Finance Minister, and Kulman Ghising as Energy Minister. Each of these leaders brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to combating corruption, a central theme of Karki’s administration.

Aryal, a human rights lawyer known for his advocacy in public interest cases, will oversee internal security during a tumultuous time. Khanal, a former finance secretary, has been a vocal proponent of major economic reforms, while Ghising, previously the chief of the state power utility, is credited with eliminating the country’s chronic load-shedding issues.

The appointments come in the wake of widespread unrest that erupted on September 8, sparked by a controversial social media ban and escalating frustrations over systemic corruption and poverty. The protests, largely driven by the Gen Z demographic, quickly turned violent, culminating in clashes with police that resulted in tragic fatalities.

Karki, who was appointed after the resignation of veteran leader KP Sharma Oli, expressed her commitment to addressing the demands of the youth. In her first public address, she emphasized the need for unity and pledged to govern with a focus on good governance and economic equality. “What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance, and economic equality,” she stated.

Among the protesters, 19-year-old Subash Dhakal, who was injured during the demonstrations, expressed pride in his role in the movement for change. “I have no regrets at all,” he told reporters from his hospital bed. “This pain is ephemeral, but this will definitely bring about some changes.”

As Karki and her new cabinet prepare to govern for the next six months, the nation watches closely, hopeful for a shift towards transparency and reform in the wake of recent turmoil. The interim government faces the daunting task of restoring public trust and addressing the deep-seated issues that have ignited such fervent demands for change.