US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Tuesday that the US wants to work closely with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s new government on regional and international issues.
The US government’s latest statement is critical, as former Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly blamed the US for backing the joint Opposition’s attempt to depose him via a no-trust motion.
Imran Khan was of the opinion that the US government supported the change of government in Pakistan, and to bolster his case, Khan highlighted a letter in which the US government allegedly threatened Pakistan with dire consequences if he remained in power.
However, a series of events culminated in Imran Khan’s ouster as Pakistan’s prime minister on April 10 via a no-confidence motion, after the National Assembly debated the matter for more than 12 hours and the country’s political situation deteriorated.
Shehbaz Sharif was then sworn in as Pakistan’s 23rd Prime Minister following his election by the joint Opposition.
Today, during a routine press briefing, a spokesperson for the US State Department described Pakistan as a critical partner of the US government.
“We view Pakistan as a critical stakeholder and partner with whom we are engaging and have engaged as we work together to create a more stable, secure, prosperous Afghanistan, and, most importantly, an Afghanistan that respects the basic and fundamental rights of its people, including its minorities, women, and girls,” he said.
Price also lauded the US-Pakistan relationship and pledged to continue working with the new government.
“Our relationship with Pakistan has been critical for nearly 75 years, and we look forward to working with the new government in Pakistan on regional and international issues,” he said.
“This is work that has the potential to advance Pakistan’s and the region’s peace and prosperity,” he added.
“We have already congratulated Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his election,” Price continued, adding, “We look forward to working closely with his government.”
US Secretary of State John Kerry congratulates Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Shahbaz Sharif on his election as Pakistan’s new Prime Minister and pledged to continue cooperating with his new administration.
“For nearly 75 years, Pakistan has been a critical partner on a broad range of mutual interests, and we value our relationship.” The United States extends its congratulations to newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and looks forward to continuing our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan’s government,” the US State Department stated in a statement.
The Pentagon expects Pakistan’s military-to-military ties to continue
Following Shehbaz Sharif’s election as Pakistan’s new Prime Minister, the US Department of Defense issued a statement expressing hope for the continuation of “healthy” military-to-military ties with Pakistan despite the government change.
“We maintain an advantageous military-to-military relationship with the Pakistani armed forces. And we have every reason to believe that will continue to be the case “John F Kirby, the Pentagon’s press secretary, had stated.
According to the Pentagon official, the US recognizes that it shares security and stability interests with Pakistan. “We acknowledge Pakistan’s critical role in the region.”
While he ruled out any US military involvement in Pakistan, he stated that America recognizes Pakistan and its people as victims of terrorist attacks “within their own country.”
“I do not envision the US military playing a role here. And I am certainly not going to get involved in Pakistan’s internal domestic politics again “During the press briefing, he explained to a journalist.
