Hina Rabbani Khar is among the 245 leading executives, public figures and intellectuals in the world to be recognized for her professional contributions and accomplishments in shaping the future of the world.

Geneva, 13 March 2008 - Drawn from a pool of almost 5,000 candidates across the world, The World Economic Forum has selected 245 leading professionals as the Young Global Leaders for 2008. These young leaders have been acknowledged for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to influencing the future prospects of the world.

This year, Hina Rabbani Khar, the former Minister of State for Economic Affairs has been honored as one of the Young Global Leaders for 2008. Ms. Khar has been acknowledged for her profound leadership quality in promoting innovative ideas and competitiveness in Pakistan. She has in particular played a key role in developing linkages between the public and private sectors and created more donor attention to the economic and competitiveness issues in the country. As part of her work in promoting competitiveness, Hina Khar has been working closely in establishing the Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) in Pakistan to create more awareness of Competitiveness in the business sector and supported CSF's initiatives in creating linkages between the international and bilateral agencies.

The Competitiveness Support Fund is a joint initiative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan and working as an independent body on improving Pakistan's competitiveness worldwide. CSF is also the country partner institute of the World Economic Forum in Pakistan and strongly engaged in developing knowledge-based enterprise sectors and promoting sustained economic growth in Pakistan. Support for CSF is part of the $1.5 billion in aid that the U.S. Government is providing to Pakistan over five years to improve economic growth, education, health, and governance.

"We would like to integrate those Young Global Leaders into processes which will allow them to have a real impact on global affairs and to make sure that global decision-making preserves the interests of the next generation. The Forum of Young Global Leaders will be a strong force from all walks of life to shake up traditional thinking and to bring a bold, forward-looking approach to the world," said Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.

Hina Khar is also recognized for her support in including Competitiveness into the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper for Pakistan.

"The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a unique, multi-stakeholder community of the world's most extraordinary young leaders, who dedicate a part of their time to jointly addressing global challenges and who are committed to devoting some of their knowledge and energy to collectively work towards a better future", said Arthur Bayhan, Chief Executive Officer of the Competitiveness Support Fund.

Bayhan further stated that "As part of their engagement, the Young Global Leaders give their time to task forces to initiate, develop and drive innovative solutions on important, globally-oriented issues, including health and education and reduce poverty.

Ms. Munizae Jahangir, a Film Producer and Media Professional has also been bestowed with this honour this year.

In 2007, the Young Global Leader award was given to Omar Ayub Khan, Former Minister of State for Finance and Former Chairman of the Competitiveness Support Fund for his contribution to the positive turn of the economy of Pakistan, due to significant Real Domestic Product growth.

Salman Iqbal, Chief Executive Officer, ARY Digitial was also selected in 2007 as Young Global Leader for creating pioneer-ship in Pakistani media and broadcasting.

The Young Global Leaders for 2008 include 121 business leaders, as well as leaders from government, academia, the media and society at large from 65 countries. The new class represents all regions, including East Asia (64), Europe (58), the Middle East and North Africa (12), North America (45), South Asia (24), sub-Saharan Africa (21) and Latin America (21).

The Young Global Leaders 2008 were chosen by a selection committee of 31 eminent international media leaders, including Thomas H. Glocer, Chief Executive Officer, Reuters, United Kingdom; Arthur Sulzberger, Chairman and Publisher, The New York Times, USA; Robert Thomson, Publisher, Dow Jones & Company and The Wall Street Journal, USA; and Hisashi Hieda, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fuji Television Network, Japan. The selection committee is chaired by H.M. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.