Havoc in Himalayan nation: Political uncertainty continues to grip Nepal

Nepal’s Political Crisis: Gen Z Pushes for Engineer Kulman Ghising as Interim PM Amid Ongoing Protests

Nepal’s streets are buzzing with uncertainty as young protesters shake up the race for an interim Prime Minister. Gen Z activists, leading the charge against the government, have now thrown their support behind engineer Kulman Ghising instead of the earlier pick, retired Chief Justice Sushila Karki. This twist comes as the Himalayan nation grapples with violent unrest, corruption allegations, and a power vacuum.

The shift happened after a key meeting on Thursday at the army headquarters in Bhadrakali. Gen Z representatives sat down with Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel to break the deadlock on choosing a leader for the interim government. Reports say Ghising’s name surfaced there, gaining quick traction among the youth.

At 54, Ghising is a fresh face compared to the 73-year-old Karki. Protesters love him not just for his age but for his spotless reputation and his success in fixing Nepal’s chronic power shortages during his time at the Nepal Electricity Authority. "We want a younger person as Prime Minister!" one demonstrator shouted in Kathmandu, capturing the frustration boiling over in the capital.

Karki’s name had popped up in a virtual Gen Z meeting on Wednesday, but it didn’t stick. Some groups pushed back, and even Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah—better known as Balen Shah, the engineer-turned-rapper-turned-politician—had backed her on social media. Balen, a favorite among the protesters, was their first choice, but reports suggest he’s not keen to step up. Karki, meanwhile, pointed to constitutional hurdles and her own reluctance.

President Ramchandra Paudel is in the thick of it, holding talks to keep democracy alive while calming the chaos. Officials told the Kathmandu Post he’s focused on practical fixes that respect Nepal’s constitution. In a statement Thursday afternoon, Paudel urged everyone to stay calm: "I’m working hard to solve this political crisis the right way. I ask all parties to trust the process, meet the protesters’ demands quickly, and help keep peace in an orderly fashion." The message hit as pressure mounts from the streets for real change.

The protests kicked off Monday over a short-lived social media ban that protesters used to blast Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s government for corruption, nepotism, and money mishandling. Even after the ban lifted, the crowds didn’t stop, forcing Oli to resign. No one knows where he is now.

Tragedy has struck hard—the death toll in Kathmandu alone has climbed to 31, according to the Department of Forensic Medicine at Tribhuvan University. Nationwide, it’s at 34. The Gen Z group leading the charge doubled down Thursday, demanding Parliament dissolve and the constitution rewrite to match the people’s voice.

Chaos has spilled over elsewhere. Tribhuvan International Airport reopened Wednesday evening after violent clashes shut it down, but crowds gathered there Thursday. To help tourists stuck in the mess, Nepal’s immigration department is offering free visa renewals for foreigners whose permits expired after September 8—easing travel woes or extended stays.

Jailbreaks add to the nightmare. Media reports from 15 districts show at least 13,000 prisoners escaped amid the turmoil. Authorities lack a clear count on who’s been caught and who’s still on the run. Worryingly, many fugitives face charges for serious crimes like murder, rape, kidnapping, and human trafficking.

As Nepal’s Gen Z protests for a corruption-free future rage on, all eyes are on President Paudel to steer the country through this storm. Will Ghising step up as the interim PM? The nation waits, hoping for stability soon.

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