Sushila Karki sworn in as Nepal’s first woman prime minister; parliamentary elections to be held within 6 months

Kathmandu: Nepal has entered a new political chapter as Sushila Karki, a former chief justice, was sworn in on Friday evening as the country’s first woman to assume the role of Prime Minister. She is the 42nd Prime Minister of Nepal.

President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy during a ceremony held at Sheetal Niwas. Karki also served as the first woman Chief Justice of Nepal from July 11, 2016, to June 7, 2017.

No ministers have yet been appointed, with Karki currently holding responsibility for all ministries herself.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, and other senior officials. Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire and National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal were notably absent.

At the event, Secretary of the President’s Office, Deepak Kafle, announced that under Karki’s leadership, parliamentary elections will be held within six months.

Karki’s appointment follows the resignation of KP Sharma Oli on Bhadra 24 (September 9), after Gen Z protests forced a dramatic shift in the country’s political landscape.