Trump’s Nobel Nomination
Pakistani political leaders have expressed serious concerns over the government’s decision to nominate US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, especially in light of the recent US military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and the deepening conflict involving Israel.
The government had initially put forward Trump’s name for the prestigious award, praising his “decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership” during the recent Pakistan-India border conflict.
It credited Trump’s efforts for brokering a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, describing his diplomatic engagement as an example of “great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship.”
However, following the US airstrikes on Iran’s Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear sites—attacks that Trump himself described as “totally obliterated”—many politicians and citizens alike voiced strong opposition to the nomination.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), was among the most vocal critics. Speaking at a party meeting in Murree, he called for the government to rescind the nomination, saying that Trump’s claim to peace had been “proven false.”
Fazl accused Trump of supporting Israeli military actions against Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, questioning how such behavior could be seen as a path to peace.
He further condemned the bloodshed in Afghanistan and Palestine, holding America responsible and criticizing the government’s decision as motivated by its recent interactions with Trump, including a meeting between the US leader and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Other prominent voices echoed these sentiments. Former senator Mushahid Hussain condemned the nomination on social media, calling Trump’s actions “an illegal war” and warning that the US president had been misled by Israeli interests, which could lead to America’s decline.
PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan demanded a reconsideration of the nomination, highlighting the ongoing US support for Israeli actions in Gaza and the recent strikes on Iran.
Jamaat-i-Islami leader Naeemur Rehman described the nomination as damaging to Pakistan’s dignity, while former ambassador Maleeha Lodhi called it “unfortunate” and unrepresentative of public opinion.
Senior journalist Mariana Baabar and author Fatima Bhutto also criticized the move, questioning Pakistan’s judgment and calling for the nomination to be withdrawn.
Donald Trump, who campaigned as a peacemaker during his presidency, has repeatedly voiced frustration at not winning the Nobel Peace Prize, contrasting himself with former President Barack Obama, who won the award shortly after taking office in 2009.
However, many in Pakistan now see the nomination as a political misstep given Trump’s recent military actions and the resulting regional instability.
