A new foreign minister
Some issues, however, go beyond the questions of who is acting as minister. It is essential to the needs of Pakistan and its people that its foreign policy be an independent one, with parliament exercising control over it as should be in the case of a democracy, with the military establishment in the background. Of course, this is easier said than done, and hence the perception that the Foreign Office acts on the dictates of the establishment will be hard to change any time soon. On some issues, such as ties with India and the US, the civilians need to assert themselves and if they did it could have a positive outcome — certainly in the case of India where all political parties want greater engagement with it. Foreign policy should be based on the wishes and aspirations of the people of Pakistan as express through their elected representatives and should not be based on other extraneous factors.
This will be one of the main challenges Ms Khar faces in the future. She also takes over her assignment at a time when there is friction with the US and a degree of doubt over how things should proceed with Washington. All these matters will need to be addressed and worked out in the coming days. We believe Ms Khar has the capability and the capacity of doing this in a professional and intelligent manner. The future in terms of foreign policy may be brighter than before.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2011.
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I am pleased to know that President of Pakistan Mr. Zardari and PM Mr. Gillani made Ms. Khar Pakistan's new FM. This is a very good news to our Nation's people. Ms. Khar is undoubtedly intelligent and will do her job with responsibilities. In my own opinion Im very happy that women of Pakistan are being elected to serve our great Nation Pakistan. Regardless of age/gender it is a must duty of every Pakistani to serve its Nation with pride.
Recently I read that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman has criticised the appointment of Hina Rabbani Khar as the new Foreign Minister. I would like to tell HIM while you are too busy destorying our great nation Pakistan into pieces, at least Ms. Khar will do her best to gather some of those pieces and put it together.
Pakistan is in desperate need of a female LEADER cuz looks like our Pakistani men leaders can't handle a small operation by US in Pakistan.
Best of luck to Ms. Khar may Allah bess you and your family!!
~Modasar
Dear all writters, I"ll not waste your time in front of your Computer screens,as energy is rarely available in Pakistan.Anyhow issue of the appointment of new FM is much senstive in these circumstances,as we know Pakistan's For.Policy should be as hard as it was in the period of Z.A.Bhuto,G.Ayub & even in the period of S.M.Qureshi. Every one,has some sense of politics or u can say a senstive Pakistani is not considering her appointment as a admirable job by Govt.US FM. Mrs.Clinton visits India ,some days back.Hes statements,giuen there are revealing the need of another Z.A.Bhuto. The tiny example of Ms.Khar's ability is her response at the arrest of Mr.Fai in US.She didnt say a single word at this conflict. Do u expect that Mrs. Clintont made such silence at any American's arrest by Pakistan. So dont compare her with Mrs. Clinton. Point to oppore is that ,if there were other oppertiunities,why they opointed Ms. Khar. you can ask ,who is other 1 better for Ministry but 1st of all ,look around and tell me,m I right in my Words?
@Rafiq A. Tschannen
Zafarullah was the one who took Pakistan into SEATO and CENTO. So let us keep him out of this discussion. We do not want Ms. Khar to be like him.
Sir Mohammed Zafrullah Khan was a great Pakistani Statesman (and Foreign Minister). Who can meet that criteria?
@Ali: Are you seriously mentioning David Miliband and Hina Khar in the same breath? Phew! Her 'green'-ness is very evident. Someone put it quite succinctly. She is a 'light-weight'. An apt metaphor for the country she is to represent. Punching above her weight indeed!
Good choice. When David Miliband was appointed as FM during Labour government in UK , some people said he is light weight,however, he did superb job . Best wishes to Hina.
One more instance of political elites grabbing the deal which probably belonged to a polished and seasoned professional.
We believe Ms Khar has the capability and the capacity of doing this in a professional and intelligent manner. The future in terms of foreign policy may be brighter than before.
I hope she does not run the FO as 'Polo Lounge'
I wish her well in her new role. May she do justice to this posting!
Dear All,
Stop doubting the abilities of your people and wish them luck. She is a breath of fresh air. Our predecessors have not been able to lead the country the way it should be. Let's hope that the young lot would bring positive changes and also increase the chances of entry of other young people into mainstream politics.
May Allah bless our Pakistan with honest and sincere people.
Good luck n best of wishes to Ms Khar.....Pakistan Zindabad
Here we have Pakistan's Madeline Albright... My sincerest best wishes for her and for Pakistan!
Who is she? No body tells us.
Btw, I am facing net problem with the page. It is not stable, shifting ever up and down.
Pakistan is going through serious crisis politically, economicaly and the level of mistrust and corruption was never seen before. At this time the main chice for foreign minister must be based upon the past experience and high level of educational credentials. As a foreign minister one must have the through knowledge of world history, international affairs and well aquainted with present affairs of region..I do not know the qualification of Mrs.Khar.But knowing the earlier chicees of Mr. Zardari I am sure that it will not be the better choice.Pakistan need a well qualified,educated and experienced foreign minister at this critical time.
Apparently an MSc in management qualifies you to take foreign office these days.... Well played Zardari, use civil offices for political statements.
Thanks to Raymond Davis murders, she now became foreign minister.
Indeed, a welcome development in some senses. But a bigger underlying issue for both Pakistanis and Indians to ponder is that almost all the young politicians seen today in both countries have invariably made it through their 'family connections' rather than through their own hard work. It is a reflection of the entitlement and feudal privilege that they enjoy and not merit, and this is not a good thing in the long run.
Compare her to the people that she needs to sit down an negotiate with --- the term that comes to my mind is "light weight". Does the editor really think she is in the same league as a Hillary Clinton or her counterpart in India?
Your belief that "Ms Khar has the capability and the capacity of doing" certain things "in a professional and intelligent manner" may not be misplaced although it remains to be tested. However, in the past, many of her predecessors have also possessed the same "capability and the capacity" but have been hamstrung into total ineffectiveness by the powers behind the curtain. While wishing the new foreign minister good luck one hopes that the military establishment that has exceeded all limits of recklessness in driving the foreign policy of Pakistan will leave her alone and let her introduce the fresh thinking and approach that she brings with her to the august office.
I do not know Ms Khar, but I think she will be a good FM. In this 21st century when other countries are giving quotas to promote women in business and political arena, it is to be appreciated that a young woman foreign minister will travel to India to discuss Indo pak relationship next week. That in itself will create a positive image for the country, as most Indians, or for that matter many in other western countries, think that Pakistani women are chained within the four walls of home, without any say. It appears that mostly it is the PPP that has done so much for the empowerment of women. It was the PPP that had nominated Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan as the first woman governor in Sindh. The first policewoman as station house officer and the first lady attorney general had also been appointed during the rule of the PPP. Chairman of senate is also a woman and now a young and very educated Ms Khar speaking for foreign affairs. When she travels to US or UNO and speaks for Pakistan in fluent English, some people will have to shut up or be careful to call Pakistan a fundamentalist country. If only PPP becomes more efficient with less corruption, the party will have my full backing. After all it is the only party which is popular in all of Pakistan, a plus point.