LAHORE:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s nomination of the US president for the Nobel Peace Prize was widely criticized as folly, although most experts said Pakistan’s renewed rapprochement with Washington and its effort to stay out of Donald Trump’s crosshairs were driven by practical and short-term considerations.
They described the country’s current foreign policy, including its approach toward Iran, as pragmatic and necessary.
Experts, while speaking to The Express PAkGazette, said the government was walking a diplomatic tightrope. They added that a debate was underway about a deeper turn towards the United States, but Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China remained critical.
Videos of PPP president Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz being questioned over the nomination circulated on social media. Both avoided a direct answer.
Bilawal remained silent, while Maryam said the prime minister makes decisions in the best interest of the country, indicating limited support within the ruling camp.
Senior analyst Mazhar Abbas, while speaking to The Express PAkGazette, questioned the move, citing Washington’s support for Israel in its war in Palestine. He said nominating Trump for a peace prize undermined Pakistan’s position, although maintaining viable ties with the United States was strategically necessary.
He added that Pakistan should focus on reducing regional tensions and avoiding any escalation involving Iran, while recognizing that China remains a reliable partner.
Former interim Punjab chief minister Hasan Askari Rizvi said foreign policy decisions should not be judged in absolute terms. He described the nomination as largely symbolic and driven by economic constraints, adding that Pakistan lacked the financial space to act independently.
He said the government had limited influence to intervene in regional conflicts and that its current approach reflected practical realities.
Another senior analyst, Rasul Bakhsh Rais, called the nomination a “mistake” that damaged the government’s credibility. However, he said Pakistan’s effort to maintain balanced US-China relations was sensible and the coming days would be important for the region.
