ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari became the youngest foreign minister in the country’s history after President Arif Alvi administered him oath to the office on Wednesday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the oath-taking ceremony here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, which was attended by former president Asif Ali Zardari, ex-prime ministers Yousuf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and a large number of parliamentarians, party workers, and government officials.
The close family members of Bilawal Bhutto including his sister Aseefa Bhutto and maternal aunt Sanam Bhutto – the sister of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto – also attended the ceremony.
Bilawal did not take oath when 37 lawmakers were inducted in the country’s new federal cabinet earlier this month. Instead, he travelled to London where he held meetings with Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss issues related to national politics.
His oath-taking ceremony was welcomed by his party colleagues and family members. “A moment in history: @BBhuttoZardari takes oath as Pakistan’s youngest Foreign Minister,” exclaimed Senator Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s new climate change minister, in a Twitter post.
“Congratulations to the youngest Foreign Minister in Pakistan’s history @BBhuttoZardari,” said Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, his youngest sister, in a tweet. “The task is daunting, and the previous government has hurt our international standing but I have no doubt that you will make our country, party, and family proud.”
The new cabinet reflects the political mix of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Muslim League-Q and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
Later, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday. Federal Ministers Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Khawaja Saad Rafique were also present during the meeting. They exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister emphasised that Pakistan’s progress lies in the supremacy of the Constitution and continuity of the democratic process. It was agreed to take all the political parties along for strengthening democracy and to ensure public welfare in the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for taking oath as federal minister and expressed the resolve to overcome challenges confronting the country with mutual cooperation. TLTP
