The US State Department has highlighted the United States’ enduring commitment to a robust partnership with Pakistan, adding that it wants to strengthen this partnership under the new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

At a news briefing in Washington, the department’s spokesperson, Matthew Miller, warmly welcomed Maryam Nawaz’s election as Punjab’s first woman chief minister, calling it a significant milestone in Pakistani politics.

Miller expressed hope that her election would pave the way for increased integration of women in Pakistani politics.

“I won’t comment on the new prime minister, but, as I’ve stated previously, we highly value the longstanding partnership with Pakistan. We consistently regard a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as crucial to United States-Pakistan interests,” affirmed Miller in response to a journalist’s inquiry about the new government.

Read more here.