Pakistan’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs

Islamabad: On the advice of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, the President of Pakistan has decided to elevate Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar as Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar took oath of office today at the Aiwan-e-Sadr as the 26th Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan. The oath was taken by Acting President Mr. Farooq H. Naik in the absence of President Asif Ali Zardari who is on a visit to Afghanistan.

Ms. Khar has the distinction of being the youngest and first woman Foreign Minister of Pakistan.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar is proceeding to Indonesia later this week to lead the Pakistan delegation to the 18th ASEAN Regional Forum where she is expected to have bilateral meetings with the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yang Jiechi, and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. On return she will proceed to India for the Ministerial level Dialogue in the Pakistan-India resumed dialogue process with her Indian counterpart Minister S M Krishna.

Members of the Cabinet and of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad as well as senior officials attended the oath taking ceremony.

For more information, contact:
Syed Haider Ali Jafri
Personal Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tel: +9251 921 0335 and 9056604