THE recent nomination of US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize has revived global discussions about leadership in preventing nuclear conflicts.
Yet, amid such discourse, one critical question remains overlooked: who prevented a nuclear war between India and Pakistan in May 2025? Was it President Trump alone? Certainly not.
The decisive role was played by Pakistan’s Field Marshal General Asim Munir and the Pakistan defence forces. Their strategic foresight and effective communication with international stakeholders, including the United States, were instrumental in de-escalating what could have become a global catastrophe. Through timely intelligence sharing, they highlighted India’s dangerous trajectory toward full-scale nuclear engagement after suffering a severe military setback during the conflict’s fourth day. With India reportedly contemplating a nuclear option, General Munir’s intervention helped avert disaster.
To understand the roots of South Asia’s nuclear tensions, one must revisit history. Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine, envisioned by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (SZAB), was a direct response to India’s 1974 nuclear test. Bhutto’s strategic vision aimed to ensure a credible deterrent and regional balance, especially after the 1971 war in which India and the Soviet Union orchestrated Pakistan’s dismemberment. Even then, it was US President Richard Nixon who warned Prime Minister Indira Gandhi against pushing further, as revealed in declassified CIA documents.
Historically, Republican Administrations have often stood by Pakistan in difficult times. In 1983, the Reagan Administration reportedly thwarted a planned Indo-Israeli strike on Pakistan’s Kahuta nuclear facility—at a time when similar facilities in other Muslim countries had been targeted and destroyed. The US-Pakistan alliance has extended through Cold War confrontations, the Afghan conflict and the global war on terror. Despite enduring regional hostilities, Pakistan has consistently demonstrated restraint, never resorting to nuclear weapons—even under provocation. Today, Pakistan’s military continues to play a vital global role in peacekeeping operations under the United Nations. It has proven time and again that it is a responsible nuclear power committed to peace and stability. The events of May 2025 serve as a powerful reminder of this commitment.
It is, therefore, both fitting and necessary to recognize Field Marshal General Asim Munir and the Pakistan defence forces for their contribution to global peace. Just as leaders from major powers are acknowledged for diplomatic achievements, so too should those who take concrete action to prevent war—especially one with nuclear dimensions.
The United States, well aware of Pakistan’s pivotal role in maintaining stability in South Asia, should consider nominating General Munir and the defence forces for the Nobel Peace Prize. Such recognition would not only honour a moment of extraordinary leadership but also reinforce the values of restraint, diplomacy and collective security.
—The writer is a medical doctor, fitness enthusiast, and advocate for public health and human rights.
