WASHINGTON, Aug 23: The United States said on Thursday that it wants to see a strengthened democracy in Pakistan and would work with anyone elected by the people of that country.

“It is an issue for the Pakistani legal system,” said Gonzalo R. Gallegos, director, Office of Press Relations at the US State Department, when asked to comment on the Supreme Court’s decision to allow former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to return home.

“We wish to see a strengthening of Pakistan’s democratic traditions, serving the people’s desire for opportunities and for stable, participatory rule.”

Mr Gallegos said the United States has made it clear that it wants Pakistan to succeed as a moderate and modern democratic country, “led by the choice of the Pakistani people.”

The United States, he said, also wants to see free, fair and transparent elections that give Pakistani citizens choices, and respect their decisions.”

Asked if the US will work with anyone elected in a free and fair election in Pakistan, Mr Gallegos said “that has been and will continue to be the US policy.”