Strong, Democratic Pak Essential For Mutual Interests: US Congratulates Newly Sworn-In PM Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan's relations with the US have been lukewarm. The ties touched a new low after former prime minister Imran Khan accused the US of conspiring to dislodge his government.

New Delhi: The United States on Wednesday congratulated the newly sworn-in Pakistan Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, saying it is looking forward to working with him.

"Pakistan has been an important partner on wide-ranging mutual interests for nearly 75 years and we value our relationship," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

In the statement, Blinken wrote: "The United States congratulates newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and we look forward to continuing our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan's government."

"The United States views a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as essential for the interests of both of our countries," he added.

The statement comes days after Sharif took the oath of office and replaced Imran Khan as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Shehbaz Sharif was administered the oath by the Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani after President Arif Alvi fell ill.

Pakistan's relations with the US have been lukewarm, especially under the Biden administration with the Taliban's rapid takeover of Afghanistan in August last year.

The ties touched a new low after former prime minister Imran Khan accused the US of conspiring to dislodge his government as he faced the no-trust vote which led to his ouster.

The US government has denied the allegations multiple times.

Following the regime change, Pentagon stated that the US has a "healthy military-to-military relationship" with Pakistani armed forces and it expects to continue the ties.

Addressing a press briefing in Washington on Tuesday, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby mentioned that the US has shared interests with Pakistan with respect to security and stability in "that part of the world".

The US has a "healthy military-to-military relationship with Pakistani armed forces" and "we have every expectation that will be able to continue to be the case", he said, as quoted by PTI.

When asked about possible US action if Pakistan's military intervenes amid street protests organised by Imran Khan, Kirby said that he does not foresee any US military role in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, according to a Dawn report, ending fences with the US would be one of the top foreign policy priorities for the new Shehbaz Sharif-led government.

(With Agency Inputs)