Story perspectives

Pakistan PM Faces Backlash for Trump Nobel Nomination

3/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan praised U.S. President Donald Trump in October for saving lives and nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
After U.S.-Israeli bombings in Iran, many Pakistanis criticized Sharif's comments.
Protests in Islamabad erupted as demonstrators trampled Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu portraits.
Critics, including former ambassador Maleeha Lodi, say Sharif's actions increased pressure amid anti-U.S. protests and Pakistan's energy crisis, with a Shiite population.

History

Historical Context

In 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize due to his diplomatic efforts with North Korea. However, critics, including former Pakistani ambassador Maleeha Lodi, argued that his policies heightened tensions in the Middle East. This backdrop of international diplomacy intersects with domestic unrest in Pakistan, particularly amid energy crises affecting the Shiite population, reflecting ongoing anti-U.S. sentiment.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan praised U.S. President Donald Trump in October for saving lives and nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
After U.S.-Israeli bombings in Iran, many Pakistanis criticized Sharif's comments.
Protests in Islamabad erupted as demonstrators trampled Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu portraits.
Critics, including former ambassador Maleeha Lodi, say Sharif's actions increased pressure amid anti-U.S. protests and Pakistan's energy crisis, with a Shiite population.

1 / 2