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In a significant move to forge political consensus and create a conducive environment for the upcoming national elections, Prime Minister Sushila Karki held extensive talks with leaders of major political parties at her official residence in Baluwatar.

 The meeting marks the first such formal dialogue hosted by PM Karki since she assumed office on September 12 with a clear mandate to hold elections within six months.

The discussions focused primarily on the prevailing political instability and security concerns, which many leaders believe could hinder the scheduled elections on March 5. 

While acknowledging the challenges, PM Karki reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to holding elections on time, emphasizing the constitutional imperative and the people's right to vote.

“There is no alternative to timely elections,” PM Karki asserted. “The government is dedicated to conducting free, fair, and credible polls. Security agencies are working tirelessly to ensure a safe and secure environment.”

As part of her efforts to foster trust and transparency, Karki proposed a trilateral dialogue involving the government, representatives of Gen-Z movements, and major political parties to address outstanding issues and build consensus on the electoral process.

The Prime Minister also assured party leaders that the government is open to addressing concerns raised during the meeting, particularly around security, electoral logistics, and political participation.

Speaking after the meeting, senior Nepali Congress (NC) leader Prakash Sharan Mahat expressed reservations about the government’s preparedness, particularly regarding security arrangements.

“There is a serious lack of security for top leaders across party lines, and the morale of the security forces seems low,” Mahat said. “While the NC remains committed to participating in the elections, we are not convinced that the Ministry of Home Affairs is adequately prepared to ensure a secure and fair electoral process.”

Mahat stressed that most of the discussion centered on security concerns, which remain a key obstacle to confidence in the electoral timeline.

This latest round of dialogue comes after earlier efforts by President Ram Chandra Poudel to mediate between PM Karki and party leaders in the lead-up to the elections. With time running short, political consensus and enhanced security measures will be crucial to avoiding further delays.

Acting President of Nepali Congress, Purna Bahadur Khadka, has said that his party will participate in the elections if the government creates a suitable environment for the same.

Khadka said so while addressing the memorial meeting held today in Surkhet on the 13th day of the demise of the party's Surkhet district former president Govinda Bahadur Malla. He stated that the party is ready to participate in the elections as soon as all conditions necessary for the election are in place.

So far, the government has not carried out the reliable tasks required to hold the elections, said the NC Acting President Khadka.

He suggested that if the government is sincere to hold elections, emphasis should be given to returning the weapons looted by infiltrators during the Gen-Z demonstration, to boosting the morale of the police and security agencies, to engage the parties participating in the elections, and to assure the electorate of security.

Khadka accused the government of abandoning the task of creating an atmosphere conducive for elections and engaging in prejudiced attacks on party leaders, instead creating confusion and increasing uncertainty.

The NC Acting President stated that the ongoing central executive committee meeting of the party would make appropriate decisions regarding the elections, the party's convention, and the current situation.

The government has allocated Rs 4.85 million as contingency expenses for those injured during the September 8-9 Gen Z demonstrations. 

Each injured person has been provided with Rs 20,000, based on the preliminary report from the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

In the first phase, the amount was released to Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Kaski, Surkhet, Kailali, and Dadeldhura.

The Cabinet, on September 28, decided to ensure immediate financial assistance for contingency expenses based on the classification of injuries identified by the technical committee.

So far, the Ministry of Health has submitted details of 2,419 injured to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Similarly, the injured have been provided with identity cards. 

The Home Ministry has sent 2,876 ID cards to the respective District Administration Offices, while 38 cards have been issued directly from hospitals.

Gen Z clinics have been set up at designated hospitals for follow-up treatment of the injured, with arrangements for free transportation facilities, it is said. 

 Seventy-six people lost their lives during the Gen Z movement. 

Among them, the identities of 53 individuals are known, including three Nepal Police officers. 

The identities of 12 people are yet to be established. While trying to escape from prison, 10 inmates were killed by bullets fired by security personnel. One foreigner also lost life during the Gen Z movement.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Nepal, in collaboration with the Nepal-Pakistan Youth Council, extended humanitarian support to flood survivors in Ilam. 

The Pakistani embassy distributed essential relief materials to the flood-affected families.

According to the Embassy, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Abrar H. Hashmi, handed over the relief assistance to families affected by recent natural disasters in Mangsebung and Phakphokthum rural municipalities.

Ilam district recorded 37 fatalities due to massive landslides triggered by incessant rainfall on October 3 and 4. 

Chief District Officer of Ilam, Sunita Nepal, along with local government representatives, was present during the relief distribution.

On the occasion, Ambassador Hashmi expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and emphasized the need for strengthening the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Nepal and Pakistan.

Earlier, the Ambassador also paid a courtesy call on Koshi Province’s Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Rewati Raman Bhandari, and conveyed Pakistan's solidarity with Nepal during this time of disaster.