Barack Obama congratulates Nawaz Sharif on winning elections
Washington: US President Barack Obama has congratulated PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, set to become Pakistan’s next Prime Minister, on his election victory and pledged to further strengthen friendly ties with Islamabad.
“Today, the President spoke by phone with Nawaz Sharif, President of Pakistan Muslim League, to congratulate him on his party’s success in the May 11 general election,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.
“The US and Pakistan have a long history of working together on mutual interests, and this administration looks forward to continuing our cooperation with the Pakistani government that emerges from this election,” Carney said on Monday.
“It really is important to note the significance of consecutive democratic elections and the transfer of civilian power from one government to the next,” Carney said.
“The two leaders agreed to continue to work together to strengthen US-Pakistan relations,” he added.
Sharif had earlier said that he would extend “full support” to Washington as US and NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
Sharif’s PML-N has emerged as the single largest party in the May 11 elections winning 123 of the 272 Parliamentary seats.
