Bilawal Bhutto becomes Pakistan's youngest foreign minister

ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Wednesday became the youngest foreign minister of Pakistan, breaking the records earlier set by his grandfather and a party leader.

President Arif Alvi administered the oath to the Oxford-educated PPP chairman, who is 33 years, seven months, and six days of age — a development that came after much delay and deliberation.

Ex-prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 35 years, five months, and ten days old when he was sworn in as the foreign minister, while Hina Rabbani Khar was 33 years, eight months, and one day old.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, Bilawal took charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Office officials briefed the newly-appointed minister on Pakistan’s international relations.

The foreign minister also paid a visit to the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, while Minister of State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, accompanied him.

Bilawal expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the terrorist attack on Chinese residents in Karachi and told the embassy officials that the relationship between Pakistan and China is a series of loyalty across generations.

He said that the terrorists made a failed attempt to strike on the basis of the Pak-China friendship. "The malicious intentions of terrorists cannot sabotage [this] friendship."

Four people, including three Chinese nationals, were killed while four others sustained injuries in a suicide bombing on the premises of the University of Karachi.

Congratulations pour in