Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday lauded US President Donald Trump for his role in facilitating a ceasefire with India earlier this year, calling him “a man of peace” and announcing that Pakistan had nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Addressing the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Sharif linked the ceasefire to Washington’s intervention following India’s Operation Sindoor, which was launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack in May that killed 26 civilians.
India, however, has consistently maintained that the cessation of hostilities was decided through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of both countries, with no third-party involvement.
Sharif praises Trump’s role in India-Pak ceasefire
“Though in a position of strength, Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire facilitated by President Trump’s bold and visionary leadership. We express our deep appreciation to him and his team for their active role,” Sharif told the UNGA.
Sharif added that Trump’s efforts helped avert a more dangerous escalation. “Had he not intervened timely and decisively, the consequences of a full-fledged war would have been catastrophic,” he said.
Since May 10, when Trump announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after “a long night of talks” mediated by Washington, he has reiterated nearly 50 times that he played a key role in “settling tensions”.
Pakistan seeks dialogue, raises Kashmir issue
The Pakistani leader said his country is ready for a “composite, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue with India on all outstanding issues.” He also accused New Delhi of worsening the situation in Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s support for an “impartial UN-backed plebiscite”.
Sharif further claimed that during the four-day conflict in May, Pakistan damaged “seven Indian jets”. Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, however, stated that Indian forces downed five Pakistani fighter jets and a large aircraft during Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure across the border.
He also criticised India’s decision to suspend provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam attack, calling any violation of the treaty “an act of war”.
Gaza, terrorism, and climate
Sharif devoted part of his UNGA speech to broader international issues. He condemned terrorism in all forms but said Pakistan itself faces “externally sponsored terrorism” from groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Balochistan Liberation Army.
On Gaza, he described the humanitarian crisis as “one of the most heart-wrenching tragedies of our time”, urging immediate efforts for a ceasefire. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a sovereign Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders and Jerusalem as its capital.
