Khar takes oath as pakistani federal minister

ISLAMABAD: Hina Rabbani Khar has taken oath as Federal Minister and will be the country's foreign minister, Geo News reported.

According to the presidential spokesman, Acting President Farooq Naek administered the oath at the ceremony held at the President House.

Hina Rabbani Khar, aged 34, is also expected to meet US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the sidelines of the regional ASEAN forum in Indonesia this week.

"On the advice of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the president of Pakistan has decided to elevate Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar as federal minister for foreign affairs," her ministry said.

"Khar has the distinction of being the youngest and first woman foreign minister of Pakistan."

Ministers, members of parliament and diplomats were present during the ceremony. Prior to becoming federal minister Hina Rabbani Khar was serving as the state minister for foreign affairs. She will be responsible for the foreign office as its minister and the cabinet division will issue a notification in this regard.

Khar will travel to New Delhi later this month to take part in ministerial level talks with her counterpart S.M.Krishna. 

The position of foreign minister fell vacant after Shah Mehmood Quereshi was snubbed during the cabinet reshuffle. Observers say Quershi was snubbed due to his differences with the government over the diplomatic status of Raymond Davis