Pakistan has welcomed the nomination of Senator John Kerry as the next US Secretary of State, with its top diplomat in Washington calling the seasoned lawmaker a "steadfast" friend of the country. "We welcome news of the nomination of Senator John F. Kerry as the next US Secretary of State. Senator Kerry is a man of towering stature and accomplishments, having served the United States with great vigour and distinction," Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman said.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2012