Sushila Karki sworn in as Nepal’s first woman prime minister

Sushila Karki, Nepal’s former Chief Justice, was sworn in on Thursday as the country’s interim Prime Minister, making her the first woman to hold the position of Prime Minister in Nepal’s history.

The oath of office was administered by President Ramchandra Paudel at a ceremony held in Kathmandu.

Karki’s appointment follows the dissolution of Parliament and the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amid widespread anti-corruption protests led by Nepal’s Gen-Z movement.

Karki, Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, is widely respected for her integrity and judicial independence. She served as Chief Justice from July 2016 to June 2017, and is best known for her landmark rulings on transitional justice, electoral disputes, and human rights.

With a legal career spanning over four decades, Karki began practising law in 1979, was appointed a Supreme Court Justice in 2009, and became a senior advocate in 2007. Born in Biratnagar on June 7, 1952, she holds academic degrees in both political science and law.

The Gen-Z movement, which has emerged as a powerful political force in Nepal, strongly backed Karki for the interim leadership role, citing her neutrality, legal expertise, and track record of standing against entrenched interests.

Protest leaders have also demanded constitutional amendments to ensure that governance reflects the will of the people, arguing that Nepal’s existing political structure has failed to deliver stability or justice.

As the country enters a volatile transitional phase, Karki’s leadership will be closely watched — both at home and abroad — for how it balances public pressure, legal frameworks, and the challenges of restoring democratic order.

With inputs from agencies