New Delhi, Sep 11: Political uncertainty in Nepal deepened on Thursday as Gen Z protestors proposed engineer Kulman Ghising as their preferred choice for interim Prime Minister, replacing the earlier suggestion of retired Chief Justice Sushila Karki.
According to reports, Ghising’s name was discussed during a meeting between Gen Z representatives and Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel at the army headquarters in Bhadrakali. At 54, Ghising was seen as a younger, credible alternative with a clean image and recognition for resolving Nepal’s power shortage crisis. Karki, 73, had initially been floated as a candidate but faced resistance over age, constitutional challenges, and her own reluctance.
Meanwhile, President Ramchandra Paudel continued consultations with stakeholders, assuring citizens that efforts were underway to resolve the crisis within the constitutional framework. “I appeal to all parties to remain confident that steps are being taken to address protesters’ demands and maintain peace and order,” he said.
The unrest, triggered by a now-revoked social media ban, has left at least 34 people dead, according to the Department of Forensic Medicine at Tribhuvan University. Protestors, largely youth-led, are demanding dissolution of Parliament and constitutional amendments to reflect the will of the people.
Amid escalating turmoil, reports confirmed that more than 13,000 prisoners escaped from jails across 15 districts, many of them convicted of serious crimes including murder, rape, and human trafficking. Authorities admitted they lacked a consolidated record of arrests so far.
Normal operations resumed at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, with the immigration department offering free visa renewals to foreigners whose permits expired after September 8.
Former Prime Minister K. P. S. Oli, who resigned under mounting pressure, remains untraceable, adding another layer of uncertainty to Nepal’s volatile political landscape.
