Shehbaz Sharif posted on X on Oct. 9, 2026 that Pakistan had formally nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, adding that the country hoped Trump would finally receive the recognition he deserved. He followed the statement with a brief note of hope, saying, "…we hope he will receive due recognition this time."
The Nobel Committee, however, announced that the 2026 award would go to Navi Pillay, the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, for her lifelong work in advancing international law and prosecuting war crimes. Pillay, an 85‑year‑old South‑African jurist of Tamil descent, will receive the 12‑million‑crown prize in Oslo on Dec. 10.
Trump reacted on Truth Social, retweeting a lawyer’s comment that Pillay was a "hater" and that the award had been demeaned. In a subsequent post, Trump sarcastically suggested he would share the prize if people applauded harder, reminding followers that he received a symbolic medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in 2025.
Sharif defended the nomination by citing Trump’s alleged role in easing tensions between Pakistan and India, claiming the former president helped bring the two nations back from the brink during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. He emphasized that the ceasefire remains in effect, though India maintains that no third party influenced the peace process.
In Karachi, a small crowd gathered outside the Pakistani embassy to celebrate Sharif’s announcement, chanting "Shah Sharif!" and holding placards that read "We support our nominee." The event drew a mixed reaction from the local community, with some applauding the stance and others expressing skepticism about the political motives behind the nomination.
The Nobel Foundation confirmed that only qualified nominators – such as national governments – can submit nominations, and the committee reiterated that the prize cannot be transferred or shared once awarded.