Often called "the Uzbek princess," Gulnara, 35, is one of Uzbekistan's most influential figures, having accumulated vast wealth and influence since the gas-rich nation's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
The source, who asked not to be named, said Gulnara assumed the post last week -- the highest government appointment in her career.
A Harvard graduate, Gulnara is also an Uzbek pop star whose videos often appear on state television. She regularly publishes romantic poetry on a personal web site.
She faces arrest in the United States after fleeing the country with her children in 2001 following a complicated divorce from her Afghan-American husband.
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