US backs Sharif, says he is 'elected leader'

The US has said that it supports Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stating that he is the elected leader of Pakistan and asked various political parties in the country to resolve their differences peacefully.

The US has said that it supports Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stating that he is the elected leader of Pakistan and asked various political parties in the country to resolve their differences peacefully.

"Yes, we still do. He (Sharif) is the elected leader," state department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters.

"We've said that repeatedly, and we've been carefully monitoring the demonstrations in Islamabad. We've consistently said that the US encourages all the parties to work together to resolve their differences through dialogue also, though, oppose any efforts to impose extra-constitutional change to the democratic system," Harf said.

"It's something we've talked about a lot in here. We are monitoring it. Obviously, our ambassador remains in touch with Pakistani officials, but not much more analysis than that," she said.

"We have said that Nawaz Sharif is the elected leader of Pakistan," Harf said when asked about allegations by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan that the 2013 electionin Pakistan was fraud and fake.

Imran Khan wants the ruling PML-N government's ouster over alleged rigging in last year's polls which his party lost, while Canada-based cleric Tahirul Qadri of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief wants to bring a revolution in the country. Both the leaders are agitating since August 14.

Both the protesting groups are seeking re-elections and the resignation of Prime Minister Sharif.