Interim PM Karki Expands Cabinet: New Ministers Sworn In to Tackle Reconstruction and Reforms
KATHMANDU, Nepal – Following her appointment as the interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki has taken a crucial step towards forming a functional government by expanding her cabinet with four new ministerial appointments. The new ministers were sworn in at a ceremony at Sheetal Niwas, the presidential residence, bringing the total number of cabinet members to eight. This move is a strategic effort to build a comprehensive team capable of navigating the country through its current political and economic crisis.
Among the notable appointments is Education Minister Mahabir Pun, a revered innovator and social entrepreneur known for his work in rural technology and education. Pun’s appointment has been widely welcomed, and he has already announced the formation of four new Tech Advisory Panels to modernize the education sector and integrate technology into schools. His presence in the cabinet is seen as a sign that the interim government is serious about implementing tangible, long-term reforms that go beyond mere political maneuvering.
The other new appointments include key portfolios such as Industry and Communications. The new Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Anil Kumar Sinha, has made reconstruction a top priority, pledging to utilize local materials and labor to rebuild government buildings and infrastructure damaged during the recent protests. The new Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, has also hit the ground running, announcing plans to provide free Wi-Fi in 10 major cities, a move that directly addresses a key grievance of the Gen Z protesters.
The expansion of the cabinet is a vital step in fulfilling the interim government’s primary mandate: to restore stability and conduct free and fair parliamentary elections by March 2026. The new team faces a monumental task, from rebuilding damaged infrastructure and restoring public trust to managing a fragile economy and preparing for elections. The appointments, however, have been met with a sense of cautious optimism. The inclusion of non-traditional political figures and technocrats suggests a departure from the business-as-usual politics that have long plagued the nation. The success of this interim government will be measured not just by its ability to hold elections, but by its capacity to lay the groundwork for a more accountable, responsive, and forward-looking governance system.
