Barack Obama congratulates Nawaz Sharif on election win

Washington, May 15 – President Barack Obama called Pakistan's incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif to congratulate him on his election win and to pledge strong cooperation with Islamabad, the White House said Tuesday.

 

"Today the president spoke by phone with Nawaz Sharif to congratulate him on his party's success in May 11 parliamentary elections," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

 

"The president also thanked Mr. Sharif for his role in the historic transfer of power between civilian governments, a significant milestone in Pakistan's democracy," Carney said.

 

"The two leaders agreed to continue to work together to strengthen US-Pakistan relations and advance our shared interest of a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan and region," the statement said.

 

Obama also praised the "extraordinary voter turnout and courage" shown by Pakistanis determined to cast their votes despite intimidation and violence by extremists.

 

Pakistan has had an uneasy relationship with the United States ever since it was thrust into the frontline of America's anti-terror war after the September 11 attacks in 2001.

 

Sharif said after his election that he would extend "full support" to Washington as US and NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

 

But he also faces intense domestic political pressure over Washington's unpopular drone strikes targeting Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants in the northwestern tribal belt. Source: AFP