Kathmandu, 25, Sep: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has pledged strong legal action against those responsible for incidents during the Gen-Z movement.
In her first address to the nation as head of the interim government, Prime Minister Karki assured that free and fearless elections will be held by March 4 (21st of Falgun), urging all political parties to prepare to take part. She stated that, under the authority entrusted to her following the Gen-Z movement, she has formed the government by engaging respected figures from society.
Karki promised that her government would act in line with the aspirations expressed through the movement, which called for an end to corruption, better governance, and development. She reiterated that she assumed the role of prime minister with the responsibility of conducting elections within six months.
She also announced that the government has begun reconstruction, paying special attention to the irreparable damage caused to both public and private property. Victims of the Gen-Z protests were honored, with those who lost their lives declared martyrs and their families granted financial relief, while the injured are to receive free medical treatment.
According to Karki, preparations for the election—covering budget, security, and legal matters—are already underway to ensure polls are held by March 4.
The government investigates corruption
Prime Minister Sushila Karki, hinting at the Gen-Z movement’s central demand for corruption investigations, has claimed that the current government has already uncovered instances of corruption in a short time and that investigations will take place.
She made this assertion on Thursday while addressing the nation. However, in her detailed speech, the interim prime minister did not clarify whether the investigation would be carried out through a separate commission or via the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority.
The government has restructured three bodies, including the Money Laundering Investigation Department
After the 2017 elections, when the UML and the Maoists together secured nearly a two-thirds majority, KP Sharma Oli became prime minister. Oli centralized power by bringing three key departments under the Prime Minister’s Office. On March 1, 2019 (Falgun 16, 2075), he placed these departments directly under his authority as part of his bid to consolidate power within the PMO.
While the Home Ministry oversaw three security agencies—the Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, and the National Investigation Department—the transfer of these departments to the Prime Minister’s Office created significant weaknesses in security coordination.
