Himal Press 
Photo: RSS
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has pledged to hold the upcoming elections on schedule and hand over responsibility to a newly elected parliament and government.
Addressing senior government officials after assuming office at Singha Durbar on Sunday, Karki said the elections would be held within six months, after which power would be transferred.
The government has set the election date for March 5.
President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed former Chief Justice Karki as the head of the interim government on Friday. Immediately after her appointment, she recommended dissolution of the House of Representatives, which had already been approved by the President.
Karki clarified that she had taken office in line with the mandate handed over by the Gen Z movement. She said that she had not come to enjoy power but had accepted the premiership because of the widespread calls raised from the streets.
Karki said the deliberate arson and vandalism on important government offices appeared to be “a planned act” and assured that the government was committed to identifying and prosecuting those responsible. “Those who turned essential documents into ashes must be brought to justice,” she added.
The Prime Minister also said the destruction of official files and records had pushed administrative functions to a standstill. “Priceless files inside Singha Durbar have been destroyed. These documents were the very foundation for running the country, and now they are gone,” she said.
Calling for unity, she urged cooperation from all political and social sectors. “This is a challenge posed against the nation by criminals — we must confront it together. Even if we must appeal to the people, let us rebuild. Let us unite. Let us not criticize each other,” she appealed.
Emphasizing the need to align governance with the aspirations of the new generation (Gen Z), she directed civil servants to carry out their duties with these priorities in mind.
Also speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal said 72 people, 59 civilians, 10 prisoners and three police personnel, were killed after the Gen Z protest escalated last week.
According to Aryal, 191 others, including 57 security personnel, were injured.
