Woman CM a milestone in Pak politics: US

WASHINGTON: The US Department of State on Monday called the selection of a woman chief minister a milestone in Pakistan’s politics while expressing desire to work with the newly elected government on shared interests.

“Her selection as Chief Minister is a milestone in Pakistani politics,” the department’s spokesperson Matthew Miller said during the daily press briefing. “We look forward to cooperating with Pakistan more broadly on integrating women more fully into the country’s political life, in the economy including through the U.S. Pakistan Women’s Council, civil society and other decision making spaces,” he said.

He emphasized that an inclusive Pakistan makes for a strong, prosperous country which all Pakistanis benefit from. “We are always pleased when we see cracks in the glass ceiling anywhere in the world,” he said.

Responding to another question, he said the U.S. values the longstanding partnership with Pakistan and always viewed a strong, prosperous and democratic Pakistan as critical to bilateral interests. “Our engagement with the new prime minister Shahbaz Sharif and his government will continue to focus on these shared interests,” the spokesperson said.