Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday defended his government’s decision to nominate former US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, stressing the humanitarian dimension of his role in defusing regional conflict.

Speaking at a press conference in London, the premier said Trump’s timely diplomatic intervention during the Pakistan-India escalation “saved the region from major destruction.”

He added that without his efforts, the situation could have spiraled into catastrophic loss of lives.

Shehbaz recalled that Pakistan formally recommended Trump for the prize in June, citing his “decisive diplomatic leadership” that helped ease tensions after cross-border strikes and hostilities in May.

The ceasefire, supported by US mediation, was described by Trump himself as preventing a “bad nuclear war.”

The prime minister further highlighted Trump’s contributions to easing tensions not only in South Asia but also in conflicts involving Ethiopia, Egypt, and Ukraine — underlining that genuine leadership is measured by lives saved and peace preserved.