The United States (US) state department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said on Monday that the selection of Maryam Nawaz as the first woman chief minister of an important province Punjab is a “milestone in Pakistani politics.”

“We look forward to cooperating with Pakistan more broadly on integrating women more fully into the country’s political life and economy, including through the US Pakistan Women’s Council, civil society, and other decision-making spaces,” Mathew Miller said in response to a question at his daily news briefing.

“An inclusive Pakistan makes for a strong, prosperous country, which all Pakistanis benefit from, and so we are always pleased when we see cracks in the glass ceiling anywhere in the world,”  Miller stated.

Maryam Nawaz was elected the first female Chief Minister of Punjab on the previous Monday.