Hina Rabbani Khar New Minister for Foreign Affairs

ISLAMABAD (July 18, 2011) – Government has decided to appoint Hina Rabbani Khar as the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has sent advice to President Asif Ali Zardari for the appointment of Khar as Foreign Minister.
The decision was taken keeping in view the level of Khar’s comptency and recent interaction at the Foreign Office, sources at the Prime Minister House said.

Khair is expected to take charge as soon as a notification is issued in this regard. She is currently Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Sources said the decision was taken for the upcoming talks between foreign ministers of Pakistan and India.
The talks are expected to be held by the end of July, with a final date yet to be announced.
The foreign ministers’ meeting will be preceded by preparatory talks between Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir.