Sun Sep 14 12:20:57 UTC 2025: **Nepal’s Interim Prime Minister Karki Calls for Unity After Deadly Protests**

**Kathmandu, Nepal** – In her first public address since assuming the role of interim prime minister, Sushila Karki urged the nation to unite and rebuild following a wave of violent anti-corruption protests that claimed the lives of 72 people and injured hundreds more.

Karki, a 73-year-old former chief justice appointed on Friday after days of negotiations following the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, emphasized the need to address the demands of Nepal’s youth. “We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation,” she stated, acknowledging their calls for an end to corruption, good governance, and economic equality.

The protests, sparked by a temporary social media ban, quickly escalated as citizens took to the streets to voice their anger over widespread graft and poverty. Tragically, police opened fire on demonstrators, leading to further unrest, including the torching of government buildings and the homes of politicians.

Karki promised a swift transition, stating that her interim government would serve no more than six months, pledging to hand over power to the next parliament and ministers after elections scheduled for March 5. She also announced a compensation of approximately 1 million rupees ($11,330) for the families of those killed by police during the demonstrations.

Sudan Gurung, founder of the NGO Hami Nepal and a leading figure in the anti-corruption movement, is reportedly involved in discussions to shape the new government. Gurung previously vowed to hold corrupt politicians accountable and ensure that power resides with the people.

International rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called on the interim government to end the “impunity of the past,” warning that Nepal is at a critical juncture for human rights.

Meanwhile, authorities are continuing to recover bodies from the unrest, with many discovered in buildings that were targeted during the protests. The Health Ministry confirmed that the death toll had risen to 72.

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