PM Sushila Karki Expands Interim Cabinet: Ghising, Khanal, Aryal Appointed Ministers Amid Gen Z Protests

KalimNews |  Kathmandu | September 15, 2025 : In a swift move following her recent appointment, Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister Sushila Karki has expanded her interim cabinet by appointing three new ministers, who were officially sworn in at the Presidential Palace (Sheetal Niwas) at 11:30 AM today. The appointments come just one day after Karki formally assumed office at Singha Durbar.

The newly inducted ministers are: Kulman Ghising as Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Rameshore Khanal as Minister for Finance and Om Prakash Aryal as Minister for Home and Law.

The swearing-in ceremony was administered by President Ram Chandra Paudel, who approved the appointments late Sunday following consultations at the President’s Office.

Kulman Ghising, the former Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, is widely celebrated for liberating Nepal from years of chronic load-shedding. Ghising was controversially removed from his position by the previous KP Oli-led government, sparking public disapproval. His return as Energy Minister has been largely welcomed by the general public, given his proven administrative track record.

Rameshore Khanal, a respected former Finance Secretary, is known for his integrity and technocratic expertise. Notably, he has refused to accept any ministerial perks, including salary, residence, car, or even a PSO (Personal Security Officer). Sources close to the Prime Minister’s Office confirm that Khanal insisted on serving without any benefits, a continuation of his previous public service ethos. He had earlier resigned from his post as Finance Secretary during Bharat Mohan Adhikari’s tenure due to policy disagreements and had recently submitted a 447-page economic reform report to the Oli administration, addressing structural weaknesses and long-term policy recommendations for the national economy.

Om Prakash Aryal, a lawyer and activist, gained prominence after filing a writ petition against the controversial appointment of former CIAA Chief Lokman Singh Karki. Known for advocating public interest cases, Aryal has served as legal advisor to Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah and was instrumental in consultations during Karki’s own appointment process. While Aryal had initially shown reluctance to accept a cabinet post, preferring to assist the government from outside, he later agreed and is now entrusted with the powerful Home and Law Ministries.

Political Unrest and Gen Z Protests

Despite the swift formation of the cabinet, controversy and unrest have followed the announcement — especially around the appointment of Aryal.

Leaders of the Gen Z movement, particularly Sudan Gurung, staged a late-night protest in Baluwatar, accusing Aryal of betraying the cause. Gurung alleged that Aryal had positioned himself to benefit from a movement he once mediated, demanding his removal and even calling for Prime Minister Karki’s resignation.

“If we return to the streets, no one can stop us. We'll drag them out from where they sit,” said an enraged Gurung during the protest. He claimed Aryal’s self-appointment was a betrayal, shouting: “Om Prakash Aryal made himself Home Minister from inside the system!”

Protesters, including families of injured and deceased movement participants, chanted slogans outside the PM’s residence, accusing the interim government of failing to consult youth leaders and ignoring their demands during the cabinet formation.

The tensions escalated further during a press conference hosted by Gurung at the Reporters Club, where verbal altercations turned physical. A video released by the club shows youth attendees scuffling and accusing the organizers of intimidating critics and suppressing dissent.

Prime Minister Karki, who was appointed after KP Sharma Oli resigned under mounting pressure from the Gen Z-led protests, is leading an 11-member interim cabinet. With three appointments confirmed, additional ministries may be assigned to the current ministers.

Karki has already appointed Senior Advocate Sabita Bhandari as Attorney General, and sources suggest further consultations are ongoing to finalize the remaining ministerial portfolios.

Her government, formed amid national turmoil, faces the dual challenge of managing youth-led discontent and steering the nation toward stability before the upcoming general elections on Falgun 21 (March 5, 2026). The House of Representatives has been officially dissolved, and the interim government is tasked with overseeing the electoral process.

While Ghising’s appointment has generally been met with public approval, Aryal’s inclusion in the cabinet has fractured the Gen Z support base, with some viewing it as a compromise of ethical principles.

However, government insiders maintain that the cabinet selections reflect a balanced blend of technocrats and activists aimed at restoring governance credibility and ensuring free and fair elections.

As tensions simmer on the streets, all eyes are on Prime Minister Karki, who has stepped into a role of historic significance — not just as the nation’s first female Prime Minister, but as a leader at the helm of a politically sensitive transition.