PM Karki’s Resolve

Nepal stands at a crossroads. The recent Gen Z–led protests have jolted the political order, with young citizens demanding cleaner governance, greater accountability, and systemic reform. As the interim government born of this movement prepares for elections, the country faces the urgent challenge of restoring peace and stability while addressing the aspirations of the youth revealed through the uprising. 

In this context, Prime Minister Sushila Karki delivered her first address to the nation as the head of the interim government on Thursday. Prime Minister Karki highlighted both the resolve and the limitations of the interim government. She vowed to take legal action against those responsible for the excesses during the recent Gen Z protests and pledged to move forward with investigations into past corruption cases. She also reaffirmed that free and fair elections will be held on March 5, 2026, and urged political parties and citizens, including those living abroad, to participate.

These promises come at the crucial time when people, especially youths, frustrated with corruption, sluggish governance, and power politics, have taken to the streets - even sacrificing their lives for change. Promises of accountability and fair elections are welcome, but words alone are not enough. The government must demonstrate that it can convert pledges into action.  For this, the government should implement its commitment through transparent investigations, credible prosecutions, and real improvements in public services. Without tangible results, distrust may deepen further.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the limits of the six-month, election-focused interim government. Responding to demands from some Gen Z leaders for constitutional amendments and a directly elected executive head, she stressed that such reforms lie beyond the interim government’s mandate and must follow the constitutional process. Legally, this is correct, yet politically, it risks alienating the very generation whose activism has pushed governance to the forefront. The government should therefore create effective channels for dialogue with youth leaders and outline realistic pathways for reform so that dissatisfaction among young people does not deepen further.

PM Karki has also expressed commitments of the government to improve public service delivery, curb bribery and implement a business recovery plan for enterprises damaged during unrest. Canceling fragmented, low-value projects is a bold step towards fiscal discipline. Austerity measures announced by the interim governments also reflect its commitment to economic reform and recovery. Still, the ultimate judgement of the people hinges on the implementation, not on intention.

PM Karki has also underlined the obligation to secure the political achievement of the federal democratic republic made through a series of struggles and called for unity among all to safeguard it. The call for unity is welcome, yet unity must be earned through trust, fairness and a sense that the state is responsive to its citizens — especially its youth. The Gen Z movement is not a threat to stability; it is an opportunity to improve democratic institutions, spur accountability and modernise governance. 

With only a few months left before elections, the interim government cannot address every demand. But it can show commitment by launching reliable investigations, enhancing transparency, mobilising independent electoral bodies, and publicly engaging with the young leaders. If it succeeds, it will not only deliver on its immediate mandate but also help steer the nation towards a more responsive and progressive democracy. Prime Minister Karki’s address has opened the door to a new conversation between the state and its younger citizens. To seize this moment, the government must move from pledge to performance, turning aspirations of the Gen Z movement into a foundation for lasting reform.