Hina Rabbani Khar addressing the media. - File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday approved the summary for the appointment of Hina Rabbani Khar as the new Foreign Minister, DawnNews reported.

The summary has now been sent to President Asif Ali Zardari for his approval.

Government sources told DawnNews that the complete absence of a Foreign Minister was not only affecting the foreign ministry but also the foreign policy.

Pakistan has had no foreign minister since Shah Mehmood Qureshi was dropped in a cabinet reshuffle in February, during which time it has had to navigate a huge crisis in US relations over the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Peace talks scheduled for July 26 in New Delhi mark the first foreign minister talks between Pakistan and India in a year.

“The government wants Pakistan to be represented by a full-fledged foreign minister in the forthcoming talks with India and it is because of this reason that the position of Hina Rabbani Khar is being elevated,” an official told AFP.

Opinion

Editorial

Enrolment drive
Updated 10 May, 2024

Enrolment drive

The authorities should implement targeted interventions to bring out-of-school children, especially girls, into the educational system.
Gwadar outrage
10 May, 2024

Gwadar outrage

JUST two days after the president, while on a visit to Balochistan, discussed the need for a political dialogue to...
Save the witness
10 May, 2024

Save the witness

THE old affliction of failed enforcement has rendered another law lifeless. Enacted over a decade ago, the Sindh...
May 9 fallout
Updated 09 May, 2024

May 9 fallout

It is important that this chapter be closed satisfactorily so that the nation can move forward.
A fresh approach?
09 May, 2024

A fresh approach?

SUCCESSIVE governments have tried to address the problems of Balochistan — particularly the province’s ...
Visa fraud
09 May, 2024

Visa fraud

THE FIA has a new task at hand: cracking down on fraudulent work visas. This was prompted by the discovery of a...