KATHMANDU, Nov 9: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that the recent Gen Z movement has drawn a clear line between what is acceptable and unacceptable in the country’s governance system.
Speaking at the National Economic Debate 2.0 organized by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Saturday, PM Karki said the young generation has given a strong message of zero tolerance toward corruption, political levies, and commission-based practices.
“The message is clear — they will not tolerate the misuse of national resources in the name of democracy. Genuine entrepreneurs must not suffer because of policy-level manipulation,” she said.
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Karki described the Gen Z movement of September 8–9 as a turning point that conveyed a new mandate to the country’s leadership. “The movement reflected aspirations for economic and social progress and made it clear that Nepal cannot remain stuck in dependency and stagnation,” she added.
The prime minister underscored the private sector’s crucial role in driving economic growth, stating that industrialists are the foundation of national prosperity. “The path to building a prosperous, respected, and civilized nation is possible only through peace and cooperation,” she said.
PM Karki said Nepal is undergoing continuous transformation and transition but has failed to achieve expected outcomes despite strong economic bases in remittances, natural resources, and tourism. She attributed this to structural weaknesses and capital flight.
Acknowledging public frustration over the growing number of youths seeking jobs abroad, sluggish industrial investment, and the banking sector’s difficulties in loan recovery, Karki said the government is committed to addressing these challenges.
She noted that Nepal’s economy is currently sustained mainly by imports supported by remittance inflows. To reverse this, Karki pledged to accelerate capital expenditure to boost market liquidity, create employment, and promote domestic production.
The prime minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to holding the upcoming elections on schedule, urging cooperation from the private sector to ensure free and fair polls.
“Various studies have shown that Nepal can achieve high economic growth while controlling inflation. This indicates that we are on the right track,” Karki said.
Meanwhile, the private sector expressed concern over the vandalism and arson that occurred during the Gen Z movement. FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal said businesses suffered significant losses and urged the government to take stern action against those involved in the incidents.
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