Hina Rabbani Khar appointed Pakistan Foreign Minister

Islamabad, July 20, IRNA - Pakistan Tuesday appointed Ms Hina Rabbani Khar as Foreign Minister ahead of the foreign-ministerial level talks with India, state television reported.

Hina Rabbani Khar has been working as Minister of of State for Foreign Affairs since 13 February 2011 after then Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had not given the portfolio of foreign ministry in the cabinet reshuffle.

Acting President Farooq H Naek administered the oath to Ms. Khar at a ceremony at the President House. Several ministers and senior officials attended the ceremony.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent an advisory to President Asif Ali Zardari for the appointment of Ms Khar as full foreign minister.

Sources said that the decision has been taken ahead of the foreign ministerial level talks with India in New Delhi later this month.

She has served as the State Minister for Economic Affairs and Statistics during the government of military president Pervez Musharraf in 2003-2007.

Hina Rabbani Khar is Pakistan's first woman foreign minister, Pakistan television reported.

She belongs to a political family in eastern Punjab province./end