Hina Rabbani Khar- The Foreign Minister Of Pakistan

Hina Rabbani Khar

Hina Rabbani Khar as a Boss Lady

Hina Rabbani Khar is the most dynamic woman in the political world; hence, she is called the boss lady because of her lauded role in peace talks with militant groups in Afghanistan. Visiting Kabul under the Taliban regime, when tensions on the Pakistan-Afghan border were at an all-time high, was challenging for Ms. Khar.

In Pakistan, women politicians have triumphed despite the traditional political forces, opposition, and criticism. They have seen a great response worldwide, and some conservative party detractors have bashed them. 

The Jamaat-e-Islami organization opposed Hina Rabbani Khar's trip to Kabul. The member of JUI, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, made a cause-and-effect connection between Khar’s visit and the terrorist attack, saying sending her alone for the talks left a wrong impression. He further added that “we respect women, but women need to stay within their limits as well.”

 Political Career

Although Hina Rabbani Khar belongs to the powerful Kharal tribe of Muzaffargarh, she is best known for her political work and commitment to work. Her father, Ghulam Noor Rabbani Khar, was a member of the National Assembly, and her uncle, Ghulam Mustafa Khar, was the former Governor and Chief Minister of Punjab. Ms. Khar is the only woman who has served as the State Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Hina Rabbani Khar set foot in politics in 2002, and she joined the Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam Group). She was elected as a member of the National Assembly and served as the junior minister of economic policy from March 2008 to February 2011. 

Later, she switched to the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) in 2011 and served as the Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs. She was the youngest and first female Foreign Minister of Pakistan and held this position for two years (July 2011 to March 2013). Ms. Khar won the reserved seat for women in the National Assembly from Constituency NA-177 Muzaffargarh-II in 2018.

The active engagement of Ms. Khar in politics as a Foreign Minister drew international attention to the peace, security, and economic stability of Pakistan. She also raised the disputed Kashmir issues before the world and the atrocities committed by the Indian Army against innocent Kashmiris.

A Visit to Kabul

She received praise for her recent trip to Kabul (November 29, 2022) and her political discussions with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The government's choice to send a female minister to handle talks with the Taliban interim government, which is well-known for its infamous treatment of women, was praised by several media sites. The Pakistani delegation spent time with Afghan government representatives and discussed bilateral issues of shared interest, including cooperation in the education of girls and women, trade, investment, socio-economic initiatives, regional connectivity, health, and people-to-people connections on both sides.

Hina Rabbani Khar and Afghan Taliban

Support for Afghan Women

Ms. Khar, as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and the delegation not only had peace talks with the Taliban rulers but also met with prominent Afghan women workers. The Afghan Women's Chamber of Commerce organized a luncheon meeting in honor of Hina Rabbani in Kabul. In the meeting, she assured Afghan women that Pakistan would like to import items from Afghan women-owned enterprises. 

Afghan women are living hellish lives under the Taliban regime, and they urged Ms. Khar not to overlook their desperation at this time. As a minister of a Muslim country, they asked Ms. Khar for her support and solidarity for Afghan women to strengthen them.

In talks with the Taliban, Ms. Khar raised her concerns regarding Afghan women and emphasized how they can play their roles in strengthening society.

There are still many hardships associated with women in politics in Pakistan. They have fewer opportunities to participate in the assemblies, but Hina Rabbani Khar has emerged as the most known and active female politician in Pakistan. She has proven that women can lead their country on all fronts with their political talent and wisdom.