SRINAGAR: Pakistani politicians and civil society members have called on the government to reconsider its decision to nominate US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The nomination, initiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for Trump’s “decisive diplomatic intervention” during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, has sparked widespread criticism.
However, backlash mounted after the US, in coordination with Israel, targeted Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, raising concerns about escalating regional tensions.
According to Dawn, several political leaders have publicly criticised the nomination, urging its immediate reversal in light of the latest developments.
Veteran politician Maulana Fazlur Rehman of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) demanded the government withdraw its recommendation, stating, “President Trump’s claim of peace has proven to be false; the proposal for the Nobel Prize should be withdrawn.” Critics argue Trump’s support for Israeli military actions in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran is incompatible with the ideals of the peace prize.
PTI lawmaker Ali Muhammad Khan joined the criticism with a one-word post: “Reconsider”, referring to the strikes and the United States’ continued support for Israeli military actions in Gaza.
PTI, in an official statement, denounced the US air raids as “unwarranted” and expressed full backing for Iran’s sovereignty.
The backlash intensified on social media after the US, under Trump’s leadership, joined Israel in bombing Iran’s Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilities, raising questions about the appropriateness of the nomination. Many Pakistanis and political analysts have accused the government of hypocrisy and servility, with some calling the move “pathetic” and a betrayal of regional and Muslim solidarity
