Nepal Lifts Curfew as Sushila Karki Becomes First Female Prime Minister

Nepalese authorities lifted the curfew in Kathmandu and surrounding areas on Saturday, restoring normalcy after a week of violent protests that resulted in at least 51 deaths. The unrest was sparked by a government-imposed social media ban, which was later rescinded, but demonstrations continued over broader grievances, including corruption and economic disparity.

In response to the escalating violence, President Ram Chandra Poudel appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister on Friday. Karki, 73, is the first woman to hold the position and is known for her anti-corruption stance during her tenure as chief justice from 2016 to 2017. She was sworn in on Friday evening and is tasked with leading the nation until elections scheduled for March 5, 2026.

On her first day in office, Karki visited injured protesters at the Civil Hospital in Kathmandu, pledging to work for the country's best interests. "I will work with everything I have," she told an injured protester recovering from gunshot wounds.

The protests, led predominantly by young people and referred to as the 'Gen Z' movement, began on Monday in response to the social media ban and quickly escalated into broader demonstrations against corruption and economic inequality. The violence led to the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli on Tuesday, after protesters attacked and burned government buildings, including the parliament and the presidential residence.

With the curfew lifted, daily life in Kathmandu is gradually returning to normal, with markets reopening and traffic resuming on the streets. However, authorities remain vigilant to prevent further unrest as the nation prepares for the upcoming elections.