Expectations From New PM Karki

The movement, led by Gen Z on September 8-9, demanding an end to corruption and the reopening of banned social networking sites, will go down in history as one of Nepal's most defining political moments. The peaceful protests turned violent when the security forces opened fire, claiming the lives of at least 72 people and injuring hundreds. Public and private properties worth billions of rupees were destroyed. The destruction is said to surpass the scale of earlier protest movements in 2007 BS, 2046 BS, and 2062/63 BS. 

In less than 36 hours, the coalition government, led by KP Sharma Oli, collapsed, paving the way for former Chief Justice Sushila Karki to become the Prime Minister. Newly appointed PM Karki has both an opportunity and a challenge – a moment of reckoning for political leadership and a test for the country's fragile democracy. The protest has sent a message to the political leaders of the old generation tainted by corruption. For decades, leaders of the old generation rotated power among themselves, ignoring the aspirations of the general people for development and jobs. Now, they have two options: reform themselves to regain public trust or risk their political career. 

Peace and order 

Prime Minister Karki is tasked with forming a powerful commission to investigate corruption scandals of past governments, investigating killings and property destruction during the protest and bringing culprits to justice, and preparing the country for general elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. The youth believe that the Karki-led government can bring a transformative change. But the new government has to embark on a new journey, a journey that will define the future of the Nepali state. The most important duty of the interim government is to restore peace and order and safeguard the constitution. 

PM Karki should immediately take the initiative to put an end to the chaos stemming from the uprising. To conclude the general elections, dialogue and cooperation with political parties are equally important. President Ramchandra Paudel said that a constitutional amendment is indispensable to move forward towards 'advanced democracy'. It is in the country's interest to forge ahead in unity with all sides, including established political parties. PM Karki has got the support of young people who have spoken out against corruption and bad governance. She must adopt a zero tolerance against corruption to restore the faith of the general people in the government. As the Gen Z youth have said, corruption is a major obstacle to national progress. 

The only way to control corruption is to make strong laws and implement them strictly. The assets of the leaders and employees of the political parties who rose to power after 2046 BS should be investigated and action taken against the guilty. For that, a powerful commission should be formed, as has been raised by Gen Z and the young leaders of some established parties before. A large sum of money is needed for reconstruction. For this, it is necessary to mobilise resources within the country and seek cooperation from the international community. 

The Prime Minister should also prioritise investments and job creation. To create job opportunities, the government should increase investment in agriculture, the backbone of Nepal's economy. The sector employs more than 66 per cent of the population and contributes about 25 per cent to the country's gross domestic product. Now this sector is facing many challenges, including low productivity, limited market access, and climate change. Farmers have also faced problems in getting access to irrigation facilities, fertilizers and seeds. It is necessary to modernise traditional farming methods to enhance agricultural production and productivity.

Clear policies

To address unemployment, tourism can be another option. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, in 2024, 1.15 million foreign tourists visited Nepal. Tourist arrivals increased by more than 14 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023, when over 1 million visited the country. To further improve the sector, it is necessary to formulate clear policies, plans, and guidelines to attract domestic and foreign investments. Rich in culture, biodiversity, world heritage and pilgrimage sites, adventure activities and unity in diversity, the country can attract more tourists from around the globe. 

Similarly, Nepal has abundant potential in hydropower. According to the latest study, the hydropower generation capacity is about 85,000 megawatts. Currently, about 8-10 per cent of that capacity is being used. Over 99 per cent of the population has access to electricity. Agriculture and industry are such sectors that require sufficient domestic and foreign investment. Under the able leadership of Karki, known for her bold personality and clean image, the government will successfully ride out the storm at this critical juncture of history.

(The author is a journalist at the National News Agency (RSS).