Nepal’s Parliament has been dissolved, and history was made on September 12 when former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as the country’s first woman Prime Minister. At 73, she steps into the role on an interim basis, though no ministers have yet been appointed to her cabinet, according to reports.

 

Karki was chosen to lead the caretaker government following discussions between President Ram Chandra Paudel, senior military officials, and youth representatives from the Gen Z movement. Her appointment marks another milestone in a career that has already broken barriers, as she was previously Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice.

 

Born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, Karki studied political science and law before beginning her legal career in 1979. She became a senior advocate in 2007 and later joined the Supreme Court bench in 2009. From July 2016 to June 2017, she served as Chief Justice, earning respect for rulings on issues such as transitional justice and electoral disputes.

 

Support for her candidacy has been strong among younger generations, who value her independence and impartial record. Former Supreme Court justice Anil Kumar Sinha described her as a leader of integrity who cannot be easily pressured or influenced.

 

Karki now faces the immediate challenge of restoring order after the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli earlier this week, which fueled uncertainty across the country. Protests, which began on September 8 in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Birgunj, Butwal, and other cities, escalated after the outgoing government restricted access to social media, citing concerns over taxation and cybersecurity.