Barshaman Pun, who was instrumental in brokering the UML-CPN (Maoist Center) alliance, has assumed a crucial role in the Pushpa Kamal Dahal cabinet as the finance minister. A long-time trusted ally of Prime Minister Dahal, Pun is back in active politics after more than a year of medical treatment. As Pun begins his second term at the Ministry of Finance, he faces a formidable task of steering the country's economic recovery amidst the current recession. His responsibilities extend from stimulating domestic job creation, attracting foreign investment, boosting confidence of the private sector, to enhancing revenue collection and expediting capital expenditure. Pun's predecessor, Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, and Prime Minister Dahal often found themselves at odds over various issues, including resource allocation. While Pun enjoys Prime Minister Dahal's support, he faces two imminent challenges that will serve as a litmus test for his leadership – the upcoming Nepal Investment Summit (NIS) 2024 and the formulation of the federal budget for fiscal year 2024/25. Pun has already formed a budget drafting team at the ministry. However, considerable attention will be on the effectiveness of the budget in tackling prevailing economic challenges in the country.