The 34-year-old Pakistani foreign minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, has left an impression in Turkey on a first-time official visit abroad this week, as the country received the young official with a warm welcome in Ankara.
Holding Turkish schools in Pakistan in high regard, Khar stated that they play an important role in the country as she expressed hope for an increase in the number of Turkish schools in an interview with Today's Zaman on Thursday.
“I hope for the establishment of a Turkish university in Pakistan, I have conveyed wish this to Davutoğlu as well,” Khar stated. “Davutoğlu made a note of my suggestion for a Turkish university, which I think will be a fitting symbol [of the strength of ties between the countries].”
When she was asked about the significance of Turkey as her destination on a first official visit abroad, she gave an example that illustrates the extent of her country's confidence in Turkey. “When I went to the area hit by the recent earthquake, I saw numerous tents in which health assistance was being provided, set up by various countries, including European ones. Hundreds of people were waiting in front of one tent in particular, while only a few waited in line for the other.” When Khar enquired as to the reason for this, she was given a simple reply. “They said the longest line was the one for the Turkish tent. “If our arms do not have to be amputated, our Turkish brothers will not do it,” they told me. Pakistanis have an incredible faith in Turkey.”
The minister further stressed that Turkey was not only an “inspiring example” for the region, but also for the world, as she commented on the 2001 financial crisis in Turkey, from which it emerged more prosperous. “Your experience and your democracy certainly should serve as examples to everyone,” Khar suggested.
Briefly touching on the developments in the Middle East and North Africa, Khar stated that violence against civilians cannot be accepted anywhere in the world and that the solution to the issues “must resemble the one in Egypt and not one in Libya.”
Khar was praised by Davutoğlu for her “dignified and graceful stance,” which he claimed to be an important example for the world. Khar, being Pakistan's first female and youngest foreign minister to date, received overwhelming attention from the Turkish media for her visible similarities to the legendary Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, whose assassination in 2007 sparked riots all over the country, leaving the people of Pakistan mourning the tragic loss ever since.
Published on Today's Zaman, 12 August 2011, Friday
