Outgoing American president Barak Obama once 'expressed the desire' to visit Pakistan, but could not act upon the wish "for a variety of reasons, some of them relating to the complicated relationship between our two countries at certain times over the last eight years," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said at a news briefing.

The subject sprang up at the news briefing in light of President-elect Donald Trump's telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during which he said he would like to visit Pakistan.

Earnest added that "ultimately, when President Trump begins planning his overseas travel, he'll have a range of places to consider, and Pakistan would certainly be one of them".

He further said that a visit from the American president sends a powerful message to the people of a country, "whether it's some of our closest allies, or that's also true if it's a country like Pakistan, with whom our relationship is somewhat more complicated."

Sharif had called Trump on Nov 9 to congratulate him on his recent victory.

The US president-elect also said it will be an honour for him to do so and he will personally do what is needed.

During the telephone conversation, Trump also praised Nawaz and expressed his desire to meet the prime minister soon.