BEIJING: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that “when a
new challenge emerges, it only bring China and Pakistan more closer.
“We
have a natural convergence of interests, which could be reflected not
only in a bilateral relationship but also in other multilateral
forums,” she told China Daily in an exclusive interview.
Hina
Rabbani Khar, the youngest and first female foreign minister of
Pakistan She pointed out that China and Pakistan will seek “more
robust” ties on counter-terrorism through existing cooperation and
mechanisms.Both countries, Khar said share common interests in building
a better relationship to combat terrorism.
“Terrorism is
against the national interests of the two countries and also against
the common goals of economic development and integration,” she
remarked.
With Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari scheduled
to visit northeastern China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region at the
end of this month,the 34-year-old foreign minister sees “huge
potential” in Pakistan forming closer ties with the region, which will
bring the people of the two countries closer, achieve economic
integration and enhance the living standards of both countries.
“This
will be very robust. Economic activities will be greatly enhanced
between the two regions,” she said, noting that efforts are being made
to create a common economic zone.
Khar said there are pros and
cons to being the youngest foreign minister in Pakistan’s history, but
she said her seven years of experience in the federal government
dealing with economic cooperation make her prepared for the job.
Khar
said her ability to develop a peaceful foreign policy that fits
Pakistan is a more important issue than her age and gender.
Since
moving into the office, Khar has been committed to establishing a
stable and peaceful relationship with Pakistan’s neighbors.
She
said the difficulties in the relationship between Pakistan and India
should not be simply passed to the next generation. Besides the
unresolved core issues, mutual trust must be built by looking at other
topics, she added. Khar also reiterated the significance of sovereignty
when cooperating with the US.
She said two sides have strategic
interests in combating terrorism in the region, but “any policy related
to Pakistan should take the grand reality of this country into
consideration”. Online
