WASHINGTON, Nov 27: The United States has said that it played no part in arranging former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan.

Talking to Dawn in Washington, a State Department official cautiously welcomed Mr Sharif’s return, saying that it’s for the people of Pakistan, and not the United States, to say whether his return will be good for them.

The official also welcomed Gen Pervez Musharraf’s decision to retire from the army and urged him to end the state of emergency as well.

“We cannot say whether or not we welcome it,” said the official when asked if Washington welcomed Mr Sharif’s return.

“It is not for us to say, it is for the Pakistani people to determine whether or not they are happy and believe his return is good for Pakistan.”

The official also rejected as incorrect media reports that the US ambassador in Saudi Arabia facilitated talks between Mr Sharif and the Pakistani government.

“This is a matter among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Mr Sharif. The United States plays no part.”

In Washington, Mr Sharif’s return is being observed with caution. While US officials avoid taking a position on the development, experts appearing on various media outlets say that the US administration would first want to see how Mr Sharif plans to deal with the terrorists operating along the Pak-Afghan border.