Contrary to media reports, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Tuesday dispelled the impression that the government was considering to remove her as the country's Foreign Minister. Media reports, however, claimed that the government was planning to remove her after she reportedly contradicted President Asif Ali Zardari during a meeting with a visiting US diplomat.
A spokesman of the Prime Minister House also contradicted the reports. However, speculations are ripe in the Federal Capital that she might be given some other portfolio after the cabinet reshuffle. The Spokesman said that the media had insinuated it from a recent statement of the prime minister in which he had said that a "new team" would give a new impetus to normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan. The prime minister was briefing journalists on President Zardari's India visit.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters outside parliament, Khar said that media had reported stories about her removal but "I want to make it clear that I was one of the greatest supporter of the President's visit to India as exchange of high-level delegation will help normalise relation between the two countries".
Terming the president's visit successful, she said that the two leaders agreed to discuss all outstanding issues with open heart as it was important for the economic development of the two countries. She said that Pakistan wanted good relations with its neighbours and President's visit was a positive step in this direction. About the new terms of engagement with US, she said that if consensus among all political parties could not be developed, it would be passed with majority by the joint session of parliament.
"Parliament is currently reviewing the country's foreign policy. If any political party is on boycott, then decision would be taken with majority vote," she said in response to a question regarding JUI-F boycott of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS). She said that the government was trying to evolve consensus on the recommendations. However, she made it clear that no compromise would be made on national interests and Parliament was capable of taking vital decisions in that regard.