Editorial
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif joined U.S. President Donald Trump at a joint press conference on October 13, 2025 during the peace and development summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, where global leaders gathered to witness signing of the Gaza peace deal. The event took an interesting turn when President Trump invited Prime Minister Shehbaz to address the audience a gesture that made Shehbaz Sharif perhaps the only foreign leader to speak on the occasion.
During his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif showered praise on Donald Trump, describing him as “a genuine man of peace” and once again nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Prime Minister lauded Trump’s “bold leadership and remarkable diplomatic acumen,” crediting him for “achieving what others could not in fostering peace and economic cooperation.”
The conference was attended by several world leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Presidents of Türkiye, Indonesia, and representatives from the European Union and the Gulf region. Interestingly, while Trump had invited the Indonesian President to also speak, but he was not available, leaving Shehbaz Sharif as the sole guest from the Muslim world to address the gathering alongside Trump.
The Pakistani Prime Minister’s remarks were met with polite applause, but also with raised eyebrows among diplomatic observers. While Shehbaz’s effusive praise may have been intended as a gesture of goodwill and an effort to strengthen ties with Washington under Trump’s renewed global influence, seasoned diplomats view such unrestrained admiration as risky.
In diplomacy, balance is often the key. Excessive praise particularly in a multilateral setting can sometimes be interpreted as political alignment or even endorsement of an individual’s policies, which may not always align with Pakistan’s long-term strategic interests.
Observers note that diplomacy is rarely about absolute truths or unfiltered admiration. It is, rather, an artful balance a calculated blend of truth, tact, and subtlety. In this context, Prime Minister Shehbaz’s unguarded enthusiasm for Trump’s leadership may have crossed a line of diplomatic prudence.
Trump, known for his unpredictability, has often shifted positions dramatically from warm praise to sharp criticism depending on his evolving political agenda. This makes any overt alignment with him a potential diplomatic gamble. Should Trump alter his stance toward Pakistan in the future, today’s praise might appear awkward or even politically costly.
While the gesture may have earned Pakistan a moment of spotlight and perhaps goodwill in Trump’s circle, experts suggest that measured diplomacy rather than open adulation would have served the country’s interests better. In global politics, where alliances shift and leaders change, restraint often ensures continuity and credibility.
For now, Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at Sharm el-Sheikh have certainly captured international attention, but whether they translate into tangible diplomatic gain or future embarrassment remains to be seen. In the unpredictable world of Trump-era diplomacy, it’s often safer to praise the process not the person.
