Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a surprising move at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), lauded former US President Donald Trump for his role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and announced that Pakistan has nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Sharif's remarks, delivered during the 80th session of the UNGA in New York, credited Trump's "bold and vigorous leadership" for facilitating the ceasefire after military action in May.

Sharif's statement comes after a period of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, sparked by the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. India retaliated with "Operation Sindoor," targeting terrorist camps within Pakistani territory and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan responded by targeting Indian military positions, leading to a dangerous escalation.

According to Sharif, Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire due to Trump's intervention. He expressed deep appreciation for Trump and his team's "active role" in bringing about the cessation of hostilities. "In recognition of President Trump's wonderful and outstanding contribution to promote peace in our part of the world, Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize," Sharif stated. "This is the least we could do for his love of peace — truly, he is a man of peace".

Sharif asserted that Trump's efforts helped avert a potentially catastrophic war in South Asia. "Had he not intervened timely and decisively, the consequences of a full-fledged war would have been catastrophic. Who would have lived to tell what happened?" Sharif told the assembly.

India, however, has consistently refuted the claim that Trump played any mediating role in the ceasefire. New Delhi maintains that the ceasefire was achieved through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the Indian and Pakistani armed forces.

Despite India's stance, Sharif used his UNGA address to thank several countries, including China, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and the UN Secretary-General, for their diplomatic support to Pakistan during its clashes with India. He also declared that Pakistan is ready for a "composite, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue with India on all outstanding issues".

Sharif's praise for Trump and the Nobel Prize nomination are seen by some as an attempt by Islamabad to repair relations with Washington, particularly after a period of strained ties under President Joe Biden. Sharif and Pakistani Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir recently met with Trump at the White House.