Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, a descendant of Pakistan’s prominent political dynasty, was sworn in as the foreign minister on Wednesday. Government led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif They are facing many challenges like finding a way to fix the strained ties with the US and restart the peace process with neighboring India.
President Arif Alvi administered the oath to Bilawal, 33, at a simple ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadar (Rashtrapati Bhavan) where Prime Minister Shahbaz, former President Asif Ali Zardari and other officials as well as leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party were present. (PPP) were present.
This is the first time Mr. Bilawal has been given a key position in the government and entrusted with the key portfolio of the country’s foreign minister. He was first elected to the National Assembly in 2018.
He became the head of the external affairs ministry at a critical juncture when Pakistan needed a steady hand to steer foreign policy through choppy waters.
Among the main challenges Mr Bilawal needs to find a way to fix strained ties with the US in the wake of allegations of conspiracy by former prime minister Imran Khan and restart the stalled peace process with neighboring India.
Mr Khan was ousted from power earlier this month after losing a no-confidence vote under his leadership, which he accused of targeting Russia, China and Afghanistan because of his independent foreign policy decisions. Was part of a US-led conspiracy. However, he did not provide any credible evidence to support his claim. The US has vehemently denied their claims.
Pakistan’s relations with India deteriorated after New Delhi announced the withdrawal of special powers to Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.
India has said that it wants normal neighborly relations with Pakistan in an environment free from terror, hostility and violence. India has said that it is the responsibility of Pakistan to create an environment free from terrorism and enmity.
Mr Bilawal took oath almost a week after he met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif in London last week, during which he discussed the “overall political situation” in Pakistan and issues related to politics. vowed to work together. and national interest.
The PPP is the second largest party in the current coalition government of Prime Minister Sharif which was appointed on April 11.
Prime Minister Shahbaz is the president of PML-N.
Mr. Bilawal’s sister Asifa Bhutto-Zardari congratulated “the youngest foreign minister in the history of Pakistan”.
He tweeted, “This is a difficult task and the previous government has hurt our international reputation, but I have no doubt that you will make our country, party and family proud.”
Mr. Bilawal is the son of three-time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was killed in a bomb and gun attack at a political rally in Rawalpindi in 2007. She was the daughter of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Zulfiqar was deposed by the army in 1977 when General Zia-ul-Haq imposed martial law. He was tried for conspiracy in a murder case and hanged in 1979. Three of their four children, including Benazir, were violently killed, making the family the most bereaved political dynasty in Pakistan.
Zulfikar also began his career as Foreign Minister in the 1960s, drawing a striking resemblance to Mr. Bilawal.
Mr. Bilawal’s sister Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari had congratulated him earlier in the day for taking oath as the country’s foreign minister.
“Today Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will take oath as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan in this unity government – decided by [the] PPP CEC (Central Executive Committee) and we could not be more proud of them! Already outnumbered in Parliament and always sticking to her democratic values - Excited to see God take this path if God wills,” she had tweeted.