US Secretary of State John Kerry has said Washington remains fully engaged in building a relationship with Pakistan that is based on mutual interests and mutual respect.
In a statement on Pakistan’s Independence Day, Kerry said he looked forward to continuing to work closely with his counterparts in Pakistan to advance a shared vision that ensures a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan for generations to come.
The US secretary of state extended warm wishes to the government and people of Pakistan on behalf of US President Barack Obama and the people of the United States as they commemorated 66 years of independence.
He said the people of Pakistan deserved enormous credit for their role in the peaceful transition from one democratically elected government to another.
“The United States congratulates you on this achievement and wishes you continued success on the path to peace and prosperity” he said.
Kerry said earlier this month, he visited Pakistan, and had the opportunity to meet with the newly-elected government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and highlighted their shared interest and cooperation in areas such as energy, the economy, education, and countering extremism.
He said he also enjoyed the hospitality and friendship of many Pakistanis over the course of his visits to Pakistan over the years.
“These are the types of connections that form the foundation of the long term partnership between the American and Pakistani people,” he said.
