Hina Rabbani: Brilliance in diplomacy

Indian leading daily newspaper, The Times of India terms Pakistan's newly appointed foreign minister as "A true fashionista."

TTI said, "Hina Rabbani Khar, with her Birkin bag and Roberto Cavalli shades got tongues wagging and the media in India hailed her as the latest style icon. While the First Ladies of the United States, the wives of prime Ministers and the numerous Princesses across the world are usually hailed or trashed for their fashion sense, it's the first time that a foreign minister - Pakistani at that - has been in the spotlight. This trendy 34-year-old is known for her style and possibly more than others."

Critics of Ms. Hina have been sceptical about any result from her just concluded India trip. But, in reality, the trip looks to be quite successful and surely it is well expected by many in South Asia and the world, that Hina Rabbani Khar will be able to exhibit her brilliance and excellence as the foreign minister of Pakistan in course of time. Hina has also won the hearts of seasoned Indian Foreign Minister Krishna who was taken aback when she extended her hand to shake his. He probably did not have the experience of shaking a Pakistani girl's hand. The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also gave her time for exchange of views and accepted her invitation to visit Pakistan.

Ms. Hina is the youngest foreign minister in the world, and second female foreign minister in any Muslim nation after Bangladeshi foreign minister Dipu Moni. But, frankly, if someone will judge personality and guts of the two, I will give 90 marks out of hundred to Hina Rabbani Khar while just 25 to Dipu Moni. In front of Indian foreign minister or even the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Sigh, this young but very talented Pakistani foreign minister was not seen nervous, while Bangladeshi foreign minister, frankly, looks in front of them as mere a subordinate.

People in the West are already seeing Benazir Bhutto like leadership qualities in Hina Rabbani. Hopefully one day, not very far, she will actually takeover the post of Presidency in Pakistan to salvage the nation from being doomed due to increasing trend of Islamist terrorism, corruption and nepotism. Some critics are also raising fingers at Hina Rabbani's educational background in United States, and are propagating her to be an "Western Recruit".

Commenting on Hina Rabbani, The Guardian said: "Given the military and Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate's long history of involvement in Pakistan's foreign policy, many wonder how Khar can make a difference, especially when her predecessor apparently lost his job for resisting diplomatic immunity for CIA operative Raymond Davis, who killed two Pakistanis in January. As part of a government that has had its hands tied by the army, and a nation that is often labeled "an army with a country, not a country with an army", Khar and her prime minister are not the real decision-makers. And no foreign minister will be any time soon.

"Yet she offers hope. Pakistan has countless women like Khar – perhaps not in terms of lifestyle, but in how they choose to live their lives, dedicated to public service. From Fatima Jinnah to Benazir Bhutto, from Sherry Rehman to Asma Jahangir, Pakistani women are no shrinking violets. During the draconian Zia years, it was women who led the protests. Women artists, entrepreneurs, politicians, authors and professionals have always rejected the corseted roles men have sought to cast them in."

Personally I not only welcome the decision of appointing Hina Rabbani as the Pakistani foreign minister but also want to believe that, she will surely be able to show her excellence in not only repairing Pakistan's image in the world, but also in improving relations with the South Asian neighbours. And of course, Ms. Rabbani should make a trip to South Asian nations, including Bangladesh of course, in conveying the fresher message from Islamabad of closer relations and deeper friendship.

It is too early to be sceptical or critical on Ms. Hina Rabbani. Everyone needs to grant her some time to finally be ready to start showing her charismas. Let us remember, she is just a human being with flesh and blood, and too needs some time to cope with the new assignment.

Finally I want to see that the newly appointed foreign minister, Hina Rabbani will possibly show the world now, that Muslim nations like Pakistan are no way back-wards as projected by most of the media in the world. But before anything else, she should take up the important task of cleansing the very image of Pakistan and the Pakistani government under the rogue administration of a culprit and champion corrupt like Asif Ali Zardari.

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Hina Rabbani: Brilliance in diplomacy

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