U.S. congratulates Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif on election

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gestures during the guard of honour ceremony at the Prime Minister house in Islamabad, Pakistan April 12, 2022. Press Information Department (PID) Handout via REUTERS

The United States congratulated Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his election win this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The United States views a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as essential for the interests of both of our countries," Blinken said.

(Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Leslie Adler)