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Nepal's Interim PM Reveals Gen-Z Pressure for Minister Appointments

Nepal's interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has disclosed that leaders of the September Gen-Z movement exerted significant pressure on her to appoint specific individuals as ministers. She revealed names like Mahabir Pun and Kulman Ghising were pushed for cabinet roles, with some joining and others declining. Karki explained she personally requested some figures to remain, citing the pressure from the youth movement. She was appointed as interim PM in September 2025 with a six-month mandate to hold elections, becoming Nepal's first female prime minister.

Key Points: Nepal PM Karki: Gen-Z Pressured for Specific Minister Appointments

  • Gen-Z leaders pressured PM on cabinet picks
  • Names like Mahabir Pun & Kulman Ghising floated
  • Some appointees later left dissatisfied
  • Karki was Nepal's first female PM
2 min read

Gen-Z leaders exerted pressure for appointment of specific individuals as ministers: Nepal Interim PM Karki

Interim PM Sushila Karki reveals Gen-Z movement leaders pressured her to appoint figures like Mahabir Pun and Kulman Ghising to her cabinet.

"I had a strong pressure from the Gen-Z, to bring on people from Gen-Z's - Sushila Karki"

Kathmandu, February 3

Nepal's interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has revealed that the leaders of September's Gen Z movement exerted strong pressure on her to appoint specific individuals as ministers on board the interim government.

Addressing the national assembly for the very first time since the dissolution of the house of representatives and the new session of the upper house, Karki revealed the pressure on her to induct figures who had earlier resigned from ministerial posts to contest elections.

"As I was appointed as the interim Prime Minister on 12th of September (2025) the cabinet expansion took quite a time. The government was not formed under the leadership of political party as they have those specified members to go on board; I had to search for those from outside. At that time, I had a strong pressure from the Gen-Z, to bring on people from Gen-Z's. At that time came the name of Mahabir Pun, Kulman Ghising amongst the names, I had the pressure to include them and many other names were floated in at that time. Some of them came on board the cabinet as well, while some had rejected but the Gen-Z had pressured that you should take Kulman (Ghising), (Mahabir) Pun and then communication minister must be inducted and I personally requested them to remain on board the government saying that I have the pressure from the Gen-Z, the name of Bablu Gupta (former sports minister) also came from the Gen-Z's," Karki said.

Recalling the circumstances under which Pun joined the government, she said youth leader Sudan Gurung had personally brought him in. She further stated that, even at the time of appointment, she had agreed to allow some ministers, including Ghising, to leave the Cabinet if they chose to contest elections.

She shared that Pun was also inducted under similar circumstances and had left the cabinet dissatisfied with the government's inability to introduce the laws he advocated for.

Karki was appointed prime minister on September 12, 2025, a day after President Ramchandra Paudel exercised his constitutional authority to appoint her as head of an interim government following the September 8-9 protests and the resignation of then prime minister KP Sharma Oli.

She was given a six-month mandate to lead the country and hold elections by March 5, 2026, marking her tenure as Nepal's first female prime minister and executive head.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
First female PM of Nepal! That's a huge milestone 👏. But it's sad to hear she was under so much pressure. Youth should have a voice, but dictating specific appointments? That's not how a democracy should function. The PM must have the freedom to choose her team based on merit.
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Aman W
Mahabir Pun is a respected name in tech and social work. If Gen-Z is pushing for such figures, it shows they want capable people, not just career politicians. Maybe Indian youth can learn from this approach—focus on competency over party loyalty.
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Sarah B
Reading this from a comparative politics perspective. An interim government with a six-month mandate to hold elections is a standard crisis measure. The revelation of external pressure groups, however, complicates the narrative of a neutral caretaker government. The PM's candour is noteworthy.
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Vikram M
This is what happens when you give in to street pressure. The government becomes unstable from day one. Pun left dissatisfied, Ghising was allowed to leave... it was a setup for failure. Nepal needs stability, not populist appointments. Hope the elections bring a clear mandate.
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Kriti O
As a young person myself, I understand the frustration that leads to such movements. But "strong pressure" sounds problematic. Dialogue is better than pressure. Still, kudos to the youth for being engaged and wanting change. Hope the upcoming elections are peaceful and fair for Nepal.

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