• Pakistan nominates Trump for peace
• Ceasefire role praised amid crisis
• Nuclear war prevention cited
ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — Pakistan has formally nominated former US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in defusing a recent military conflict with India. Citing his involvement as “decisive” and “stabilising,” Islamabad credits Trump with preventing the crisis from escalating into full-scale war between two nuclear powers. The nomination, made public via the government’s verified account on X (formerly Twitter), underscores a rare moment of diplomatic appreciation from a country that has often maintained a cautious stance towards Washington.
Pakistan credits Trump with defusing crisis
The nomination stems from the events of the prior year, when tensions between India and Pakistan escalated dramatically following cross-border strikes and civilian casualties on Pakistani soil. According to the Pakistani government, the Indian military violated its sovereignty through unprovoked aggression, resulting in the deaths of unarmed civilians, including women, children, and elderly individuals.
Government of Pakistan Recommends President Donald J. Trump for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
The Government of Pakistan has decided to formally recommend President Donald J. Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal…
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 20, 2025
Pakistan responded militarily with what it described as a restrained but precise counter-offensive, code-named Operation Bunyān Marsūs, aimed at halting further aggression while avoiding civilian harm. It was during these tense days, Islamabad claims, that Trump used backchannel diplomacy and direct engagement with both capitals to cool tempers and help broker an undeclared ceasefire.
Nobel nomination as message to the world
Pakistan’s public recommendation for Trump is not just symbolic but pointed. It seeks to reposition the narrative of who played a stabilising role in a theatre often dominated by regional brinkmanship. In the government’s view, Trump’s actions helped avert a broader disaster and demonstrated how diplomacy, even when informal, can be more effective than rhetoric or sanctions.
"I deserve the Nobel Peace Prize," because I prevented a potential war between Pakistan and India, and played a key role in de-escalating tensions in regions like Congo, Serbia, and Kosovo — US President Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/MpzNNob64M
— The Thursday Times (@thursday_times) June 21, 2025
The timing of the nomination, coming amid ongoing volatility in Gaza and renewed hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz, appears intended to underline the urgency of international mediation efforts and the need for assertive leadership in conflict resolution.
Islamabad references past silence under Khan
The government’s statement also makes an implicit contrast with earlier years, particularly under the premiership of Imran Khan, during which Pakistan was notably more muted in its responses to Indian provocations. This time, Islamabad says, the country stood united — diplomatically and militarily — and forced New Delhi to reconsider its calculus.
While some observers see this as a recalibration of Pakistan’s foreign policy posture, others interpret the move as an effort to elevate its global standing by showcasing proactive, independent diplomacy and rewarding those who assist in de-escalation.
Trump’s role in a shifting region
The nomination highlights Trump’s perceived ability to shape outcomes not just in South Asia, but in other volatile arenas. The statement explicitly connects his past mediation efforts to present expectations, encouraging him to continue diplomatic engagement in regions facing acute crisis — including Gaza and Iran.
Islamabad’s hope is clear: that the same backchannel instincts that, in its view, prevented a catastrophic war in South Asia might now be brought to bear on the widening instability across the Middle East.
Kashmir at the heart of future diplomacy
Alongside the Nobel announcement, Pakistan reiterated that the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary driver of tension in the region. Islamabad emphasised that any durable peace is contingent on a just resolution of the Kashmir issue in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The statement frames the Trump nomination not just as recognition of a past act, but as an invitation to future engagement. By endorsing a former US president, Pakistan may also be sending a subtle message to other global powers: that it is ready to reward meaningful involvement in its regional security calculus, even if it doesn’t always align with established diplomatic norms.
