Hina Rabbani Khar made new State Minister for Foreign in Pakistan

The suspense around newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif's federal cabinet finally died down on Tuesday — a whole eight days after he was sworn in as premier — after federal ministers and state ministers took their oaths to shape up the 37-strong cabinet.

Hina Rabbani Khar has been inducted as the State Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Shehbaz Sharif cabinet. Khar was Pakistan's first woman foreign minister and returns to the Foreign Office as a minister of state, reports DAWN.

In 2011, Pakistan appointed its first woman and also its youngest foreign minister — Hina Rabbani Khar, who took on the role at age 34.

Khar was born in the district of Muzaffargarh and received education in the United States. She seamlessly moved from being a cabinet member in the government of General Pervez Musharraf to becoming one of the most popular ministers under President Asif Ali Zardari.

During her two-year term, Khar successfully carved out what is described as an innovative foreign policy, with an emphasis on the "regional pivot" strategy focused on improving relations with neighbouring countries such as India and Afghanistan. The PPP leader was also an advocate of reducing dependence on the US, which won her praise from experts.

Her 2011 visit to India, however, created a stir in the international community. As quoted by The Guardian, "Khar's glamorous turn triggered a media swoon and became the buzz of the subcontinental chattering class" because of her "pearl necklaces, elegant costumes, Cavalli sunglasses and a stylish Hermes-made Birkin bag worth at least $9,000 (£5,500)".

Khar has been inducted as the State Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Shehbaz Sharif cabinet.