WASHINGTON – A prosperous and democratic Pakistan is critical to US interests, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki commented after Shehbaz Sharif was elected as new prime minister of Pakistan.
In a regular press briefing on Monday, she said: “We value our long standing cooperation with Pakistan and have always viewed a prosperous and democratic Pakistan critical to US interests. That remains unchanged regardless of who the leadership is”.
A day earlier, the National Assembly of Pakistan elected Sharif its new leader of the House after former prime minister Imran Khan was ousted through a no-confidence vote.
Khan has repeatedly been alleged that the foreign conspiracy to topple his government was hatched by the US that used the joint Opposition against him. However, Washington has rejected the allegations baseless.
When asked about the possibility of telephonic contacts between President Joe Biden and Shehabaz, she replied: “I don’t have a prediction of a call at this point of time. Obviously, those are assessments made day by day and especially after new leaders are elected”.
“Of course, we have a long, strong and abiding relationship with Pakistan, an important security relationship and that will continue under new leaders,” Psaki added.
Earlier, Turkey and India have felicitated PM Shehbaz Sharif over his victory.
