
Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif celebrate the victory of their leader in Islamabad, Pakistan on Sunday, May 12, 2013. Sharif looked set Sunday to return to power for a third term, with an overwhelming election tally that just weeks ago seemed out of reach for a man who had been ousted by a coup and was exiled abroad before clawing his way back as an opposition leader. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) (The Associated Press)
RAIWIND, Pakistan – The Pakistani politician poised to become the country's next prime minister says Islamabad has "good relations" with the United States but called the CIA's drone campaign in the tribal region a challenge to his nation's sovereignty.
Nawaz Sharif spoke to reporters in Lahore on Monday, two days after his Pakistan Muslim League-N party won a resounding victory in national elections.
His comments were the first indication since the vote about how he would approach relations with the U.S.
Some of his rhetoric on the campaign trail suggested he could have a more adversarial relationship with Washington than the outgoing government. Sharif also was outspoken in his opposition to drone strikes, which are unpopular in Pakistan.
Sharif said that he would facilitate the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.