Nepal picks three with reformist credentials for interim Cabinet

KATHMANDU - Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki unveiled Cabinet roles on Sept 15 for three figures with reformist and anti-graft credentials to lead the Himalayan nation after deadly violence led to Parliament’s dissolution.

A former chief justice, Ms Karki became the first woman to lead the country last week, after nationwide anti-graft protests killed at least 72 people, and forced the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.

The Finance Ministry will be headed by Mr Rameshwore Prasad Khanal, said the President’s office in a statement, adding that Mr Khanal had been sworn in by President Ramchandra Paudel.

A former finance secretary, Mr Khanal led a panel that recently recommended key economic reforms.

The Energy Ministry will be headed by former state power utility chief Kulman Ghising, the office said. When in office, the engineer had combated the scourge of load-shedding in the mountainous nation.

The Home Minister will be Mr Om Prakash Aryal, a human rights lawyer and adviser to the mayor of capital Kathmandu, who had launched legal battles on various issues of public interest.

Nepal’s worst protests in decades were led by Gen Z youth opposing widespread corruption. The unrest and acts of arson and vandalism that followed injured more than 2,100.

Ms Karki, 73, who formally took office on Sept 14, has been tasked with holding national elections on March 5. She has asked officials to start rebuilding public structures destroyed in the protests.

These included the complex housing the Prime Minister’s office and other ministries, along with the Supreme Court and Parliament building. The homes of political party leaders, such as Mr Paudel and Mr Oli, were also targeted.

Also set on fire were shopping malls, hotels and other businesses.

There is no monetary estimate yet of the damages. REUTERS