Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has again publicly backed Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. In a post on X, he credited the US president with helping secure the May 2025 ceasefire between Pakistan and India. The Shehbaz Sharif statement on Trump came on October 9, the day the 2026 laureate was named.
The Nobel committee did not choose Trump. The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize went to South African lawyer and former judge Navi Pillay. Here is what the prime minister said, how the nominations work, and why the story matters.
Background: From the May 2025 Ceasefire to Repeated Nominations
The story starts with the military confrontation between Pakistan and India in May 2025. Shehbaz said India’s airstrikes on Pakistan led to the fighting, and he credited Trump with playing a decisive role in bringing it to a halt. India has long maintained that the ceasefire was agreed directly between the two militaries, so the two sides differ on Trump’s role.
Pakistan’s backing for Trump has been consistent. At the UN General Assembly, Shehbaz said Pakistan nominated Trump for the prize and called it “the least we could do.” He described Trump as a man of peace.
The Second Nomination Over Gaza
Pakistan went further in October 2025. Speaking next to Trump at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, Shehbaz said he wanted to nominate him again for his role in the Hamas-Israel ceasefire and hostage agreement. That marked the second time Pakistan put Trump forward for the prize.
Last Year’s Result
Trump did not win in 2025 either. That prize went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who later presented her Nobel medal to Trump. Supporters of Trump said he would be a front-runner this year, which set expectations for the 2026 announcement.
Details: What Shehbaz Said This Time
The prime minister said Pakistan had nominated Trump in recognition of his role in ending the hostilities. He described Trump’s intervention as a significant contribution to peace in South Asia. He also expressed hope that the president’s efforts would receive due recognition “this time.”
The Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif framed the issue around regional stability. He said the ceasefire is still holding today. He did not criticise the Nobel committee in the reports reviewed.
The Committee’s Decision
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Pillay the prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. She played a role in the anti-apartheid movement and served as a judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. The choice puts the focus on international law and accountability.
Quotes and Official Statements
In his post, Shehbaz said Trump’s “timely intervention helped bring Pakistan and India back from the brink.” The wording is typical of how Pakistani leaders have described the US role since 2025. It is also the core of the Shehbaz Sharif statement on Donald Trump.
The committee used different language for its winner. Chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes said Pillay had shown that legal efforts can help prevent acts of war and violence. The contrast shows how the committee weighs law and institutions alongside peace deals.
Impact: Pakistan, the US and the Nobel Debate
For Pakistan, the repeated backing signals a close working relationship with Washington. It also reflects gratitude for US involvement after the 2025 crisis. Supporters see it as diplomacy, while critics may see it as flattery, so reactions are likely to differ.
For Trump’s supporters, the Trump Nobel Peace Prize 2026 result is another disappointment. For the wider debate, it shows that the committee chooses on its own criteria. Nobel’s will says the prize should go to the person who has done the most or best to advance fellowship among nations and promote peace. Governments can nominate, but they cannot decide the outcome.
Conclusion: What Comes Next
Nominations for the next prize are expected to follow the usual calendar. The nomination deadline has traditionally been in January, so Trump’s backers have time to submit names again. Pakistan may do so as well, given its public record of support.The bigger question is how the ceasefire and Gaza arrangements hold up. Lasting results on the ground will matter more than any award. Until then, the Nobel debate around Trump is likely to continue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Trump nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize?
Trump has been publicly nominated by several governments and leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated him in July 2025. Pakistan, Cambodia and Thailand have also openly supported him, and Japan’s prime minister told him she had nominated him. The Nobel committee keeps nominee lists secret, so only nominators who speak publicly can be confirmed. For 2026, the prize went to Navi Pillay, not Trump.
Who gives the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump?
No one has awarded Trump the prize. The Nobel Peace Prize is decided by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. It consists of five people appointed by the Norwegian parliament. Other people, such as government members, professors and past laureates, can only nominate candidates. Machado, the 2025 winner, did give Trump her medal, but that was a personal gesture and not an award from the committee.
How many times was Donald Trump nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize?
There is no official public count. The committee does not reveal nominations for 50 years, so the number depends on what nominators choose to disclose. Trump has been nominated repeatedly in recent years, including by Pakistan, Israel, Cambodia and Japan, based on public statements. Different outlets report different totals, so treat any exact number with caution unless it comes from the nominators themselves.
Did Pakistan nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize?
Yes. Shehbaz Sharif said at the UN that Pakistan nominated Trump for his contribution to peace in South Asia. In October 2025, he announced he wanted to nominate Trump again over the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal. Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has also backed the nomination, according to reports.Who won the Nobel Peace Prize 2026?
Navi Pillay won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, announced on Friday, October 9. She is a South African human rights lawyer and former UN human rights chief. The prize carries 12 million Swedish kronor, about $1.2 million. The award ceremony is held in Oslo in December.
