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Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal has assumed the office after taking the oath of office and secrecy today.  

He formed a three-member taskforce on prioritization of projects for the effective budget implementation. 

The taskforce is formed under the coordination of the chief of Budget Division at the Ministry. 

The Finance Minister took a decision to not implement the projects that are not included in the budget and lack adequate preparation. The projects with insignificant values would not be put into practice, Khanal added. 

"Now, we're burdened to hold elections and address youths' demands. So, unnecessary budgets would be slashed," Minister Khanal reminded.

Suggestions of the high level economic reform commission would also be paid heed, according to the Minister. 

Newly appointed ministers of the Prime Minister Sushila Karki-led interim government took oath of office and secrecy on Monday.

The ministers took the oath of office and secrecy before President Ram Chandra Paudel amidst a function held in Sheetal Niwas.

Rameshwor Khanal has been appointed as the Minister for Finance, Kulman Ghising as Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and transportation, Minister for Urban Development and Om Prakash Aryal as Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Karki, Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, National Assembly Chairman Narayan Dahal, chiefs of security agencies and high-ranking government officials were present on the occasion.

In what has emerged as a dramatic turn of events in Nepal’s evolving political crisis, a group of youths staged a protest outside the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar at midnight, demanding resignation of newly appointed Prime Minister Sushila Karki.

Karki was appointed as the first female Prime Minister of Nepal on April 12 upon the recommendation of the Sudhan Gurung-led ‘Hami Nepal’ group.

They staged the protest after the news came out that Prime Minister Karki appointed former Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority Kulman Ghising as Minister for Energy, Rameshwor Khanal as Minister for Finance, and Om Prakash Aryal as Minister for Home Affairs without consulting the youth leaders who led the anti-corruption protests that toppled the KP Sharma Oli-led government.

Aryal is the legal advisor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor, Balen Shah. He had played the role of facilitator during the Gen Z protests.

During the protest, also attended by family members of those who lost their lives during the protests, chanted various slogans like "Prime Minister should resign," and "Justice for the victims’ family," among others.

Gurung said, “People are powerful. No one can stop us. If we have the power to choose leaders, we also have the power to take them down,” adding “While I was managing bodies, Om Prakash Aryal was hatching a conspiracy to become the minister,” Gurung said.

The ministers participating in the Karki-led interim government will take the oath of office and secrecy on Monday.

The President Office informed that newly appointed ministers will be administered the oath of office and secrecy at 11 am today.

Former Chief Justice Karki was appointed as the Prime Minister of Nepal’s interim government after days of anti-corruption protests that claimed lives of 72 people and forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign and flee his official residence in Baluwatar.  With this appointment, she has made history by becoming the first female Prime Minister of the Himalayan nation.

According to Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, 59 protestors, 10 prisoners, and three security personnel were killed during the protests.

He said that 133 protesters and 57 security personnel, who were injured in the protests, are undergoing treatment at various hospitals.

He said that Prime Minister Karki has decided to provide free treatment to the injured, declare those who died in the protests as martyrs, and provide them with Rs 1 million each.

In accordance with Article 61 (4) of the Constitution, President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Karki as the head of the interim government in consultation with the Nepal Army Chief and representatives of Gen Z who spearheaded the protests.

Known as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, Sushila Karki is admired for her clarity of thought, firm stance, and integrity during her tenure in the judiciary.

Karki served as the Chief Justice of Nepal from July 11, 2016, to June 6, 2017.

In April 2017, some lawmakers had attempted to impeach Karki accusing her of breaching the Constitution and failing to bear her duties, but the effort failed.

Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has officially assumed the role of Prime Minister of Nepal's interim government, with a constitutional mandate to conduct national elections within six months and hand over power to elected representatives. Appointed by President Ram Chandra Poudel on September 12, Karki’s first major move has been to dissolve the Parliament elected in 2022, which was originally scheduled to complete its term in 2027. This decision was made despite President Poudel’s advice against dissolution and strong suggestions from political leaders and constitutional experts to explore alternatives within the existing parliamentary framework.

Karki has announced the national elections will be held on March 5 next year, marking a critical step toward restoring political order in a country reeling from widespread protests. Her success, however, will depend largely on her ability to ensure free, fair, and inclusive elections where all political parties and forces can participate. To that end, Karki is currently working on forming a new interim cabinet and is expected to consult with both traditional and emerging political groups, regardless of whether they choose to join her cabinet.

Observers suggest she could draw valuable lessons from Khil Raj Regmi’s successful tenure as head of the interim government in 2013, which led to the peaceful completion of the second Constituent Assembly elections. Many of these parties, responding to the youth-led "Zen-Z" protests, have pledged not to seek power in the upcoming elections, offering Karki a potential window to work independently while maintaining political consultation.

The new PM inherits a fragile security situation. Hundreds of prisoner have escaped prison, many have seized police weapons, and public confidence in law enforcement is at an all-time low. Several police stations and government offices were torched during recent violent demonstrations. Boosting the morale of the police force and restoring public security are among Karki’s immediate priorities. She is expected to announce the formation of an independent investigative panel to probe killings, arson, and other violent crimes committed during the unrest. Human rights organizations and civil society leaders are calling for accountability from both sides — state security forces and protestors. Without justice and closure on these violations, experts warn, truly democratic elections cannot take place. Impunity is a biggest threat to democracy and without addressing this issue, there cannot be a peaceful election. 

Karki has committed to fulfilling the core demands of the protestors — chiefly, eliminating corruption, ensuring good governance, and creating economic equality. Upon assuming office, she declared: “My priority is to end corruption, maintain good governance, and ensure economic equality.” As a former Chief Justice, Karki is widely expected to uphold the independence of judiciary and constitutional bodies. However, questions are already being raised about the constitutionality of her appointment, which is expected to face scrutiny in the Supreme Court.  Many constitutional bodies remain vacant, and with no functioning parliamentary committees, filling key posts — including in the Election Commission — will be one of her earliest tests.

Karki’s administration will also need to manage relationships with major international players such as India, China, the United States, the European Union, Japan, and South Korea. While these countries have pledged support for Nepal’s democratic transition, much will depend on how her government engages with them diplomatically. In her first address to the media, Karki described the situation as a "national tragedy" and blamed recent violence on what she believes was a "planned conspiracy."

“The 27-hour protest caused unimaginable destruction. Fires at Singha Durbar, the Parliament building, the Supreme Court, and other public offices have erased crucial state records. This is a shame,” she said. She emphasized that she accepted the position not out of personal ambition but as a response to the people’s call. “I did not come to power by choice. I was asked by the people to take responsibility. I will not remain in office beyond six months. I promise to hand over the country to an elected government.” 

People are closely observing Karki’s initial days in office. Her success will depend on how effectively she adopts an inclusive approach and ensures a level playing field for all political forces.