Kathmandu, 11 December(HS): Former Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Thursday sharply criticised the 10-point agreement signed between the interim government and representatives of the Gen Z People’s Movement, calling it a “meaningless drama”. He said the government had no legitimate authority to hold such negotiations with Gen Z groups.

Speaking at an editors’ interaction programme, Oli said the agreement had already been rejected in practice. Such documents should neither be recognised nor accepted, he added, stressing that his party would not endorse what he described as a pointless act.

The agreement includes provisions to declare those killed in the 8–9 September Gen Z demonstrations as “martyrs”, provide relief to their families, ensure free healthcare for the injured, and offer support in education, employment, and social security. It also proposes establishing a “Martyr Memorial Foundation”.

Other provisions include investigating human rights violations, reducing political influence over state institutions, introducing the “None of the Above” option in elections, conducting primary elections, and fixing the minimum age for candidacy at 21 years. The pact also proposes creating a Gen Z Council to advise the government.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar