Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defends the nomination of US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize during a London press conference on Monday. He praised Trump’s role in a May 2025 ceasefire with India. The move followed Sharif’s UNGA address last week. Critics question the claims. Why now? Regional stability hangs in balance.
This defence underscores Pakistan’s diplomatic tightrope in South Asia. India-Pakistan clashes risk nuclear escalation, with $100 billion in combined defence budgets. Sharif’s Shehbaz Sharif defends Trump Nobel Peace nomination seeks US favour for aid and sanctions relief. It counters Indian influence amid Kashmir disputes. Success could unlock $1 billion in IMF loans. Failure deepens isolation, inflating Pakistan’s 12 per cent rate and stoking unrest.
Pakistan PM Trump UNGA Praise Sets Stage for Defence
Pakistan PM Trump UNGA praise kicked off the controversy. Sharif addressed the 80th UN General Assembly last Friday. He recounted May aggression from India. Pakistani forces repelled it, downing seven jets. Yet Pakistan agreed to ceasefire. “Though in a position of strength, Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire facilitated by United States President Donald Trump,” Sharif said in the official transcript.
He tied it to the nomination. “Pakistan nominated Mr Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize,” Sharif added. This Pakistan PM Trump UNGA praise framed Trump as peacemaker. Sharif urged dialogue on Kashmir and Indus Waters Treaty. He warned violations amount to war. The speech lasted 20 minutes. It blended regional pleas with global calls, including Gaza truce.
Attendees noted the tone. Deputy PM Ishaq Dar accompanied Sharif. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar echoed support. Indian delegates rebutted claims in right-of-reply. They denied aggression and mediation needs. UN observers logged 50 ceasefire breaches since May.
This praise amplified June’s formal nod. The government announced it then. “The Government of Pakistan has decided to formally recommend President Donald J Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize,” read the official statement. It cited Trump’s “decisive diplomatic intervention.”
Shehbaz Sharif Defends Trump Ceasefire Role in London
Sharif defends Trump ceasefire role dominated Monday’s briefing. Held at a London hotel, it drew 50 journalists. Sharif arrived from UNGA. He credited Trump with saving the region. “Mr Trump eased tension between Pakistan and India and has saved the region from major destruction,” Sharif stated.
The trigger: April 22 Pehalgam attack in Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan. Airstrikes followed. Pakistan retaliated. Skirmishes peaked in May. Trump intervened, Sharif claimed. It averted “bad nuclear war.” “If Trump had not intervened in the Pakistan-India escalation, there would be more destruction and loss of lives,” he added.
Sharif defends Trump ceasefire role extended to other fronts. He mentioned Ethiopia-Egypt and Ukraine. The ceasefire held, resuming $200 million trade flows. Yet patrols increased along Line of Control.
Opposition fired back. PTI spokespersons called it flattery. They cited Trump’s past tweets on Pakistan. Supporters hailed pragmatism. Dar reinforced: Trump’s leadership pivotal.
This echoes UNGA lines. Pakistan PM Trump UNGA praise and Sharif defends Trump ceasefire role align. Both stress de-escalation willingness.
Backlash and Diplomatic Ripples
Shehbaz Sharif defends Trump Nobel Peace nomination sparked debate. Oslo rules allow assemblies to nominate, but governments rarely do. Past bids, like Japan’s 2018, failed. Trump’s Abraham Accords earned nods, yet no win.
Indian media pounced. Outlets termed it propaganda. New Delhi denied US role. “Bilateral channels sufficed,” a ministry source said. US officials stayed mum. State Department flagged ongoing reviews. In Pakistan, polls show mixed views. A Gallup survey post-UNGA found 45 per cent approve outreach. 30 per cent see hypocrisy, given Taliban ties.
Economically, stakes high. US aid totals $500 million yearly. Textiles exports hit $4 billion. Sharif defends Trump ceasefire role links to trade pacts. May disruptions cost PKR 5 billion. Analysts weigh in. “This bolsters Islamabad’s narrative,” one expert noted. It counters FATF grey-list fears.
Broader context: Sharif’s tour yields pacts. Qatar pledged $2 billion. London talks eyed investments.
Background
Pakistan-India feuds root in 1947 partition. Four wars followed. 2019 Pulwama mirrored Pehalgam. Trump claimed credit then too. Ceasefires fragile; 2021 pact bent but held. Shehbaz Sharif defends Trump Nobel Peace nomination revives mediation bids, amid $50 billion water disputes.
What’s Next
October dialogues loom. Sharif eyes composite talks. Progress could lift 15 per cent trade. Stalls risk flares. Washington weighs aid. Shehbaz Sharif defends Trump Nobel Peace nomination tests alliances.
Shehbaz Sharif defends Trump Nobel Peace nomination highlights fragile peaces, where Pakistan PM Trump UNGA praise and Sharif defends Trump ceasefire role navigate nuclear shadows.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 29th, 2025
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