Nepal Creates History as Sushila Karki Sworn In as First Female Interim Prime Minister
Kathmandu, Sept 12: Nepal witnessed a historic moment as former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as the country’s first female interim Prime Minister, marking a new chapter in the Himalayan nation’s democratic journey. President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office to Karki at Shital Niwas, the Presidential Palace. Alongside her, Kulman Ghising, Om Prakash Aryal, and Balanand Sharma also took oath as cabinet ministers. The newly-formed cabinet will convene its first meeting tonight to deliberate on the pressing political and social challenges facing the country.
Karki’s appointment comes after weeks of violent Gen-Z-led protests and a leadership vacuum created by the resignation of several senior leaders, including former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Amid growing instability, a rare consensus was reached among political parties and the protesting Gen-Z group to entrust Karki with the responsibility of steering the country through this transitional phase. Though the new cabinet does not include leaders from the Gen-Z protesters, their major demands have been accepted, raising hopes of political stability and peace.
Born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, Sushila Karki is no stranger to breaking barriers. An alumnus of Banaras Hindu University and Tribhuvan University, she began her legal career in 1979 before rising through the judiciary. She was appointed as a Supreme Court judge in 2009 and became Nepal’s first female Chief Justice in 2016, where she served with distinction until 2017. Her tenure was marked by landmark judgments and an unwavering commitment to judicial independence.
Karki famously faced an impeachment motion in 2017, which triggered widespread public demonstrations in her defense. The Supreme Court intervened to halt the proceedings, and under public pressure, the motion was withdrawn—cementing her reputation as a fearless defender of justice who would not bow to political influence.
As interim Prime Minister, Karki is expected to bring impartiality, discipline, and a spirit of reform to the office. Her immediate challenge will be to restore public trust, manage the transition toward fresh elections, and address the aspirations of the youth-led movement that has reshaped Nepal’s political landscape. Citizens now look to her leadership to usher in peace, unity, and development in a country striving to overcome deep political divisions.
Sushila Karki’s elevation to this historic role is more than a political milestone; it is a moment of hope that Nepal can reconcile its past turmoil with a future rooted in stability, fairness, and democratic accountability.
