Thursday, March 26th, 2026

Today’s News in a Nutshell



KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.

PM Sushila Karki leaving office with ‘some satisfaction and much hope’

Prime Minister Sushila Karki said she is leaving office with “some satisfaction and much hope” as she prepares to hand over power to a newly elected government. Addressing the nation from Baluwatar on Thursday evening, the prime minister said she was pleased to transfer authority to a government formed through public mandate. Karki stated that the main objective of her tenure, holding elections within six months and handing over responsibility to an elected government, had been fulfilled.

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal bids farewell after 191 days in office

Om Prakash Aryal formally bid farewell to the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday after completing 191 days in office. Aryal stepped down as home minister as newly elected lawmakers took their oath of office and secrecy on Thursday, while preparations are underway for the formation of a new government. Addressing a special farewell ceremony at the ministry, Aryal recalled taking charge in what he described as an unusual and challenging situation following the Gen-Z people’s movement.

Newly elected lawmakers take oath

The newly elected members of the House of Representatives (HoR) have taken the oath of office and secrecy. Arjun Narsingh KC, the senior-most member of the House of Representatives, administered the oath to the MPs on Thursday. The ceremony was held at the under-construction multipurpose hall of the Federal Parliament at Singha Durbar. As per constitutional provisions, the oath-taking is mandated under Article 99 and Article 91(5) of the Constitution of Nepal, along with Section 75 of the House of Representatives Election Act, 2017. The Parliament Secretariat had earlier requested lawmakers to attend the ceremony either in formal attire or in clothing representing their cultural identity. Necessary arrangements, including seating, rostrum, Speaker’s chair, and designated spaces for the General Secretary, Secretaries and other secretariat officials, had been completed at the venue.

Sudan Gurung’s role during Gen-Z protest raise questions but probe report remains silent

The inquiry report submitted by the commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki on the Gen-Z protest of September 8 and 9, 2025, has raised serious questions about the role of security agencies and their leadership, while largely avoiding scrutiny of the connections of Sudan Gurung, head of Hami Nepal and newly elected RSP lawmaker. According to the report, Gurung repeatedly contacted senior security officials in Kathmandu during the two days of the movement. On September 8, he sought approval for the demonstration from the District Administration Office and maintained frequent communication with top security personnel.

Seto Machhindranath chariot festival begins in Kathmandu 

The annual chariot festival of Seto Machhindranath began in Kathmandu on Thursday. The festival started after the idol of Arya Avalokiteshvara was placed on a chariot prepared at Tri Dhara Pathshala and brought from Machhindrabahal. The chariot procession of Seto Machhindranath, also known as Karunamaya and Arya Avalokiteshvara, is celebrated as a festival honoring the deity believed to bring rainfall and prosperity.

Harka Sampang says party will offer constructive support from opposition

Chairperson of the Shram Sanskriti Party, Harka Raj Rai (Harka Sampang), has said his party will extend constructive support to the government while remaining in the opposition. Speaking to journalists at the Parliament building in Singha Durbar on Thursday, Rai said the party would play a creative and critically supportive role rather than engage in outright opposition. He stressed that his party would maintain a positive stance in contributing to both the government and the country. “We do not believe that being in the opposition necessarily means opposing everything,” he said.

Prachanda pledges support to RSP govt’s constructive agenda

Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said his party will support the government in positive and constructive work. Speaking at Singha Durbar after arriving to take the oath, Prachanda said the CPN would back the RSP-led government in its good initiatives. “I congratulate and extend my best wishes to those who will form the government with a majority. We will support them in positive and constructive work,” he said.

Probe panel report: 51 protesters died from police firing during Gen-Z protest

The Gauri Bahadur Karki-led probe panel has revealed that a total of 76 people were killed and more than 2,500 were injured during the Gen-Z protests that took place across the country on September 8 and 9, 2025. The findings are based on an analysis of evidence collected during the investigation, providing a detailed account of human casualties. According to the report, 20 men were killed on September 8, while on September 9, two women and 18 men lost their lives. The report also states that an additional 36 individuals who were injured by police gunfire later died during treatment.

Shah and Lamichhane hold final talks on Cabinet formation; Central Committee yet to be involved

Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane and Senior leaders Balen Shah are holding final discussions to decide on the individuals to be included in the new Cabinet. Sources say these deliberations have not yet reached broader party levels, and several issues remain under discussion. As a result, the Central Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday does not include an agenda to discuss potential Cabinet members. Party leaders confirmed that no formal discussion on government nominees will take place during the meeting.

RSP gears up central committee and parliamentary party meetings following oath-taking of new MPs

Following the oath-taking of newly elected members of the House of Representatives, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has begun preparations for internal meetings. The party has scheduled a Central Committee meeting at 4 pm on Thursday, followed by a parliamentary party meeting at 5 pm. Preparations at the RSP central office in Banasthali are in their final stage, with Central Committee members arriving at the office after the oath-taking ceremony.

KP Sharma Oli calls election results ‘magical, unexpected’

Chairperson of the CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli, has described the recent election results as magical, unexpected, and unnatural. Oli made the remarks on Thursday while addressing newly elected UML members of the House of Representatives at the party’s central office in Chyasal, following their oath-taking ceremony. “The elections have just concluded. It is not yet the time to comment extensively on the process or the results,” Oli said. “But this election is unexpected, unnatural, astonishing, and magical.”

Karki Commission report lists 15 key findings on Gen-Z protest

The probe commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki has released its report on the Gen-Z protest incidents that occurred on September 8 and 9, 2025, recommending criminal investigations and disciplinary actions against several senior officials. The report recommends criminal investigation against former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, former home minister Ramesh Lekhak and then inspector general of police Chandra Kuber Khapung. It also calls for action against Armed Police Force chief Raju Aryal and the head of the National Investigation Department of Nepal, Hutaraj Thapa.

Gold price drops by Rs 2,900 per tola

The price of gold declined by Rs 2,900 per tola on Thursday in the domestic market, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The federation has fixed the price of gold at Rs 285,600 per tola for the day. On Wednesday, gold was traded at Rs 288,500 per tola. Overall, the price of gold has fallen by Rs 16,700 per tola over the past week. Last Thursday, gold was traded at Rs 302,300 per tola.

UML General Secretary Pokhrel questions impartiality of Karki Commission

CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel has said that the report of the probe commission formed to investigate the Gen-Z protest incidents confirms that the panel was not established for an impartial investigation. Writing on Facebook, Pokhrel commented that the report of the commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki reflects a broader attempt to give political and legal legitimacy to the impact of algorithm-driven dynamics on Nepali society during the 2026 general election. “It is clear that the Karki Commission and the general election were efforts to legitimise the influence of algorithms on Nepali society through political and legal means,” Pokhrel wrote, adding that the election results and the commission’s report appear to align with that process.

Karki Commission urges greater monitoring of monasteries, madrasas and churches

The probe commission led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, formed to investigate the violent incidents linked to the Gen-Z protest on September 8 and 9, 2025, in Kathmandu, has also made a significant recommendation to the government regarding national security monitoring. In its report, the commission has advised the government to increase oversight of monasteries, madrasas and churches operating within the Kathmandu Valley. The report states that authorities should carry out effective monitoring of large and luxurious monasteries built on hilltops across the valley.

RSP Central Committee meets to clear path for Balen to become PM

Following the swearing-in of newly elected MPs, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has called both its central committee and parliamentary party meetings for today. The central committee meeting is scheduled for 4 PM, during which the party is expected to amend its bylaws to pave the way for senior leader Balendra Shah to become the party leader. This will be immediately followed by the parliamentary party meeting at 5 PM, where Shah is set to be formally elected as the leader of the parliamentary party. Party treasurer Lima Adhikari confirmed that the meetings are being organized to finalize Shah’s leadership. “At 4 PM, the central committee will convene to amend the party bylaws to appoint our senior leader Balendra Shah as the parliamentary party leader. Following that, the parliamentary party meeting will formally elect him,” she said.

29 protesters injured in gen-Z protests submit statements

Twenty-nine protesters injured during the anti-corruption demonstrations in Kathmandu on September 8 and 9, 2025, have submitted official statements detailing the violence they endured. According to the statements submitted to the inquiry commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, the protesters allege that security forces opened fire without warning. Injuries reported include metal bullets and rubber rounds to the chest, legs, neck, and arms of protesters Krishna Sunar, Aryan Adhikari, and Prakash Bahadur Bohara. Eighteen-year-old Ekta Shah and journalist Shambhu Dangal sustained serious leg injuries, while Santakumar Mehta was critically wounded in the neck and required ventilator support. Protester Geeta Kumari Shah suffered burns on 40% of her body after being set on fire with petrol by other protesters while attempting to protect the police.

Balen Shah drives out of Parliament after oath as RSP moves to endorse him for PM

Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Balen Shah, drove himself out of the Parliament building at Singha Durbar immediately after taking the oath as a member of the House of Representatives. Shah arrived at the Parliament hall after 2 PM on Thursday and left promptly after completing the swearing-in ceremony, personally driving his vehicle out of the Singha Durbar. His swift exit comes amid significant political developments within the party. The RSP’s central committee and parliamentary party meetings scheduled for Thursday are expected to amend the party statute to formally endorse him as its leader for the post of Prime Minister.

 

 

Publish Date : 26 March 2026 22:10 PM

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