US looks forward to ‘working closely’ with PM Shehbaz

US looks forward to ‘working closely’ with PM Shehbaz

Washington (Web Desk): State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said on Tuesday that the United States looked forward to “working closely” with Pakistan’s newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his government across regional and international issues.

Responding to query during a press briefing, Price underlined that the US viewed Pakistan as an “important stakeholder and partner” with whom the country was engaging to bring about a stable and secure Afghanistan.

“We are aware of the reports of Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan, but we’d refer you to the Pakistani government for comment,” the official said while responding to a question about reports of alleged Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan.

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that a democratic Pakistan is critical to the interests of the United States.

Psaki’s comments came hours after Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
“We support the peaceful upholding of constitutional democratic principles, we don't support one political party over another,” Psaki said in a press conference.

The White House press secretary said the United States “certainly” supports the principles of rule of law and equal justice under the law.