South Asia Monitoring Desk Islamabad
He became the Prime Minister of Nepal but he had no house no car no bank account no land no asset of any type. On his first day at the office, he was dressed in extremely inexpensive clothing; the total cost of his attire was less than two hundred rupees. He wore a very old cap and rough, simple sandals—his outfit was far shabbier than even that of the office waiters or peons.
The newly elected Prime Minister was escorted to his office. Outside, he removed his sandals and, walking barefoot, sat cross-legged on the chair. The secretary and other staff members were left dumbfounded, wondering how such a man had managed to become the country’s Prime Minister through the power of the people’s vote.
He had the files in and set to work with great diligence. For two hours, the secretary waited in his room, wondering if the boss would summon him at any moment. He repeatedly asked the peon if the Prime Minister had called for him; the peon would reply sheepishly, “No, he hasn’t asked for anyone yet.”
The entire day passed. After completing his official duties, the Prime Minister left quietly and without fanfare. He had strictly forbidden anyone from coming to welcome or see him off—effectively dispensing with all protocol. A week went by in this manner, with the entire staff left idle. The Prime Minister would arrive at the office promptly at eight in the morning, work late into the night, and then leave quietly.
A week later, the secretary sent a note to the Prime Minister requesting a meeting regarding official business. Scarcely a few minutes had passed since the note was sent when the Prime Minister himself walked into the secretary’s room and courteously asked, “Please tell me, what is the matter?”
The secretary was flustered—even terrified—to find the country’s Prime Minister coming to his office to inquire about the business at hand. He rose from his chair and said deferentially, “Sir, in accordance with the law, you are required as Prime Minister to declare your assets.” The Prime Minister took the form from the secretary and quietly returned to his own office.
When the form was returned that evening, the secretary was astonished to see the details of the Prime Minister’s assets. It stated:
“I do not own a house. I do not have a car either, as I travel by bus. I possess no property, plots, jewelry, gold, or diamonds. As for agricultural land, I have donated all of it to charity, and currently, I do not own even a single acre. I do not have any bank accounts, nor do I have any money. I own only three mobile phones—one of which is an iPhone. Apart from that, I have nothing.”
This was Sushil Prasad Koirala —a Nepalese politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Nepal from February 11, 2014, to October 10, 2015, overseeing the promulgation of Nepal’s modern constitution. He also served as the President of the Nepali Congress from 2010 to 2016, having previously held various other positions within the party.
Sushil Prasad Koirala hailed from a highly distinguished family that had produced several prime ministers, yet he did not amass wealth; on the contrary, he sold off his assets while working for his party. He never married and had no immediate family.
In a country like Nepal—where politics and corruption are inextricably linked, much like in our own—the absence of any listed assets in the Prime Minister’s declaration form was astonishing. The next day, the secretary approached the Prime Minister, concerned that a mistake might have been made. However, the Prime Minister reassured him, saying, “I have signed the declaration form; do not worry.”
Some time later, a journalist published a report stating that he was the world’s poorest prime minister. The opposition dismissed this as a lie, arguing that it was impossible for someone whose family had produced three prime ministers to be in such dire financial straits.
The opposition conducted thorough investigations but could find no flaws in the details provided by Sushil Prasad Koirala; in reality, the prime minister possessed nothing and was living in a state of financial destitution.
During an official visit, he received $645 from the government. Upon his return, he deposited the entire amount back into the state treasury, explaining that no expenses had been incurred during the trip and, therefore, the funds were of no use to him.
As prime minister, Sushil Prasad Koirala lived a life of extreme simplicity, and after leaving office, he moved into his brother’s home.
In his later years, he developed lung cancer. He lacked the funds for treatment; however, members of his political party raised the necessary donations, enabling him to undergo medical care. Ultimately, after bravely battling this dreaded disease, he passed away in a government hospital in Nepal in 2016.
Even today, reading books written about his life brings tears to one’s eyes. One is compelled to ask: “Oh God, such saintly figures actually govern this world? They win elections yet remain untainted by even the slightest speck of corruption, eventually departing this life in a state of financial hardship.”
He is an example for our politicians, ministers, and prime ministers. Instead of lamenting the system and its problems, all public officeholders ought to emulate him. Regrettably, had such great politician existed in Pakistan, his contemporary counterparts here would have branded him insane.
Austere Lifestyle and Asset Disclosure
No Real Estate: He owned no land or private houses in his hometown of Nepalgunj or Kathmandu, living instead in a modest rented home or staying with family members.
Minimal Belongings: His official property declaration listed almost no personal wealth, precious metals, or vehicles, noting only three basic mobile phones.
Refusing Allowances: He famously returned a $650 travel allowance during a regional summit meeting in Myanmar, displaying a strict personal code against unnecessary state expenses.
Political Background and Legacy
Political Exile: He never married and dedicated his life to the Nepali Congress Party, spending years in political exile in India and enduring prison time for pro-democracy activities.
Constitution Implementation: Serving as prime minister from February 2014 until October 2015, he oversaw the historic adoption of Nepal’s new democratic constitution in September 2015 before stepping down.
Passing: He passed away due to chronic pulmonary disease and pneumonia complications in Kathmandu on February 9, 2016, at the age of 76.
