US Welcomes Shehbaz Sharif’s Return as PM, Praises Maryam Nawaz’s Historic Appointment as CM
The United States has extended a warm welcome to Shehbaz Sharif’s reinstatement as Prime Minister of Pakistan, expressing its commitment to collaborate with the new government to advance mutual interests between the two nations.
In a recent press briefing, State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller reiterated the United States’ enduring partnership with Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan in advancing shared interests. Miller affirmed that the engagement with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his administration will focus on furthering these common goals.
The announcement comes in the wake of Shehbaz Sharif’s oath-taking ceremony, where he was sworn in as the 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan at the President’s House in Islamabad. President Dr. Arif Alvi administered the oath to Shehbaz Sharif in the presence of dignitaries, including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir.
This marks Shehbaz Sharif’s second tenure as Prime Minister, following his previous 16-month-long stint in office from April 2022 to August 2023. His return to the premiership was sealed with a resounding victory in the parliamentary vote, securing 201 votes against his opponent Omar Ayub Khan, backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-aligned Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), who garnered 92 votes.
Meanwhile, the United States also applauded the groundbreaking appointment of Maryam Nawaz as the first female Chief Minister of Punjab, hailing it as a significant milestone in Pakistani politics. Miller commended Maryam Nawaz’s selection, expressing the US’s eagerness to collaborate with Pakistan in promoting greater gender inclusivity in politics, the economy, and civil society.
Maryam Nawaz’s historic victory in the Punjab Assembly, where she secured 220 votes, underscores a significant shift in Pakistani politics towards gender equality and representation. Her opponent, Rana Aftab Ahmad of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), failed to secure any votes after the party boycotted the elections following objections.
In addition to her groundbreaking appointment as Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz’s election marks her as the fourth member of the Sharif family and the first woman from her family to hold the position. Previously elected on two seats in Lahore during the February 8 general elections, Maryam Nawaz emerged victorious in PP-159 constituency against a PTI-backed independent candidate, Mehr Sharafat.
With her ascent to power, Maryam Nawaz joins the ranks of her predecessors in the Sharif family who have served in key political positions, cementing her legacy as a formidable force in Pakistani politics.
The United States anticipates a fruitful collaboration with the new Pakistani government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, as both nations strive towards common objectives for a stable, prosperous, and inclusive future.
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