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PM’s Office Issues Warning Against Illegal Fundraising Using PM’s Name

14th October 2025, Kathmandu

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (PMO) in Kathmandu has taken the significant step of issuing a public warning against unauthorized fundraising activities.

Warning Against Illegal Fundraising

This move, announced by spokesperson Ravilal Sharma, is not merely a routine administrative notice but a critical measure to protect public trust and uphold the anti-corruption mandate of the current interim government, led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki. This warning becomes all the more crucial given the current political and social context in Nepal, marked by recent mass protests against systemic corruption.

The Context: Why the PMO Warning is Timely and Essential

Prime Minister Sushila Karki assumed her role as the interim leader following the massive, youth-led “Gen Z Protests” in September 2025. These protests were fundamentally driven by widespread public anger over rampant corruption, economic hardship, and a pervasive lack of good governance. Ms. Karki, a former Chief Justice known for her strong anti-corruption stance and integrity, was specifically nominated by the protest leaders to restore order and lead the country toward clean elections.

In this environment of high political sensitivity, where public frustration with financial misconduct is at its peak, any misuse of the Prime Minister’s name for financial gain poses a severe threat.

Elevated Public Scrutiny: The Karki administration is operating under intense public and media scrutiny, specifically tasked with delivering a “corruption-free future” and ensuring transparency.

Reconstruction and Funds: Following the deadly protests, which involved the destruction of public infrastructure, including the Prime Minister’s office and parliament buildings, PM Karki has announced initiatives, such as establishing a reconstruction fund, to rebuild. This legitimate need for public contributions creates a perfect cover for illegal fundraising scams.

The PM’s Image: The Prime Minister’s reputation is her greatest political asset. Scammers attempt to exploit her strong public image—built on a lifelong pursuit of justice and integrity—to trick citizens into donating to fake causes, thereby damaging the very reformist spirit the government is trying to cultivate.

The PMO’s statement, therefore, acts as an essential shield, safeguarding the public and the administration’s credibility against malicious actors attempting to co-opt the reformist movement for personal profit.

The Mechanics of the Scam and the Legal Repercussions

According to the PMO, the reported illegal activities involve individuals or groups soliciting donations for “various projects, funds, or social initiatives” using the Prime Minister’s name or that of her office. While the specific names of these fraudulent projects have not been officially disclosed, they are likely framing their requests around current, highly emotional public concerns, such as:

Protest Victim Support Funds: Claims to support the families of those killed or injured during the September protests.

Infrastructure Rebuilding Initiatives: Unauthorized collections for the national effort to rebuild damaged government buildings.

Good Governance Programs: Fictitious schemes claiming to fund anti-corruption or transparency projects aligned with the PM’s mandate.

Key Elements of the PMO’s Warning:

No Authorization: The office categorically states that no one has been authorized to solicit financial support on behalf of the Prime Minister or her office. This creates a clear legal boundary.

Public Refusal: The public is strictly urged to “completely refuse” any donation requests made under these pretenses.

Mandatory Reporting: The PMO has requested that all instances of illegal fundraising be immediately reported to local police. This directs citizens to the appropriate law enforcement channels, empowering them to participate in the anti-corruption drive.

Legal Action: The Prime Minister’s Office has clarified that any such unauthorized activity “will be subject to legal action,” underscoring the severity of the offense.

Restoring Good Governance Through Transparency and Vigilance

This strong advisory from the PMO reinforces the Karki government’s commitment to fighting corruption not just at the highest political levels but also in public conduct. For an administration whose primary mandate is to restore transparency and prepare for a critical election, preventing the erosion of public trust through petty fraud is paramount.

The timely response to these reports demonstrates an awareness of the political vulnerabilities created by the recent social upheaval. By being proactive and clearly defining the legal parameters of government-sanctioned fundraising, the PMO is directly addressing the “dissatisfaction over the rising corruption” that fueled the Gen Z movement. The ultimate goal is to ensure that legitimate public initiatives and government operations remain transparent and beyond reproach, a fundamental requirement for a free and fair election scheduled for March 5.

For More: Warning Against Illegal Fundraising

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