Newly appointed Prime Minister of Nepal Sushila Karki took charge of the office on Sunday.

After assuming the office, former Chief Justice Karki, the first woman Prime Minister of the Himalayan nation, urged the government officials to heed the demands of protesters to end corruption, ensure good governance and provide economic equality.

“I did not become the Prime Minister as per my wish. It was the responsibility given by the Gen Z protests to take the country towards the path of development and prosperity,” Prime Minister Karki said, adding, “I will hand over the power to the new government after six months by conducting the parliamentary elections set for March 5.”

“Everyone is aware of how the interim government was formed,” she said. “The arson attack on important structures as well as on commercial buildings of the country was shameful. How can they be called Nepalis.”

“This kind of incident has happened for the first time in Nepal. Government buildings were vandalized and set ablaze. I believe that it was premeditated. The guilty must be brought to justice."

She was of the opinion that the government should encourage industrialists and businessmen by providing loans or whatever they can do in this time of crisis.

Expressing grief over the loss of life and property during the protests, the Prime Minister assured that the government would provide appropriate relief and assistance.

Prime Minister Karki said that the structures destroyed during the protests should be rebuilt at the earliest.

She went on to say that those involved in setting fire to the government offices, including the Supreme Court, will not be spared.

“Criminals posed a challenge to us. This is a challenge for the country. We have to rebuild the structures with the help of people. Let’s all unite, Let’s not criticize each other,” the head of the government said.

She expressed concern that important documents were destroyed along with the Supreme Court and Singha Durbar, the main administrative building.

Karki, who was appointed as the Prime Minister of the interim government on September 12 following the Gen Z protests, assumed office today in the building constructed for the Ministry of Home Affairs in Singha Durbar. The Prime Minister’s building was set on fire during the protests.

Before assuming the office, Prime Minister Karki visited the Martyrs' Memorial in Lainchaur and laid a wreath at the statue of the martyrs.

On the recommendation of the Gen Z representatives, President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed former Chief Justice Karki as Prime Minister in accordance with Article 61 of the Constitution.

Prime Minister Karki is preparing to form a small Cabinet.

Earlier on September 13, Prime Minister Karki visited various hospitals to meet the people injured during the Gen Z protests.

Former Chief Justice Karki was appointed as the Prime Minister of Nepal’s interim government after days of anti-corruption protests that claimed lives of 72 people and forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign and flee his official residence in Baluwatar.  With this appointment, she has made history by becoming the first female Prime Minister of the Himalayan nation.

According to Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, 59 protestors, 10 prisoners, and three security personnel were killed during the protests.

He said that 133 protesters and 57 security personnel, who were injured in the protests, are undergoing treatment at various hospitals.

He said that Prime Minister Karki has decided to provide free treatment to the injured, declare those who died in the protests as martyrs, and provide them with Rs 1 million each.

In accordance with Article 61 (4) of the Constitution, President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Karki as the head of the interim government in consultation with the Nepal Army Chief and representatives of Gen Z who spearheaded the protests.

Known as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, Sushila Karki is admired for her clarity of thought, firm stance, and integrity during her tenure in the judiciary.

Karki served as the Chief Justice of Nepal from July 11, 2016, to June 6, 2017.

In April 2017, some lawmakers had attempted to impeach Karki accusing her of breaching the Constitution and failing to bear her duties, but the effort failed.