Kathmandu: Three newly-appointed ministers, including former Nepal Electricity Authority CEO Kulman Ghising, joined the Sushila Karki-led interim government on Monday after taking the oath of office.
President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath at Sheetal Niwas, the President’s Office, which was recently damaged during violent protests. The ceremony was held under a tent.
With their induction, the interim Cabinet — tasked with conducting parliamentary elections within six months — now has four members, including Prime Minister Karki, 73, who became Nepal’s first woman prime minister on Sunday. Her appointment followed the ouster of K P Sharma Oli amid massive youth-led “Gen Z” protests over corruption and a government ban on social media.
Ghising has been entrusted with three key portfolios: Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation; Physical Infrastructure and Transport; and Urban Development. Former finance secretary Rameshwor Khanal has taken charge as Finance Minister.
Om Prakash Aryal, a noted lawyer who played a central role in the Gen Z negotiations, has been sworn in as Minister for Home Affairs and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
Following the ceremony, all ministers assumed office. Home Minister Aryal told reporters the interim government’s primary mandate is to ensure timely, free, and impartial elections.
