US President Donald Trump.
Credit: Reuters Photo
Srinagar: Pakistan’s announcement that it plans to nominate US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize has triggered a wave of outrage in Kashmir— a sign of growing disillusionment and a subtle but significant drift away from Pakistan among many young Kashmiris.
Once seen as a ‘messiah’ of Muslims in Kashmir, Pakistan is now being increasingly viewed with skepticism, especially after aligning itself with the US and Israel at a time when Gaza bleeds and Iran faces relentless pressure. The Trump nomination was seen by many as the final straw.
“Trump symbolises oppression — from the Muslim ban to backing Israel’s aggression. And Pakistan wants to honour him?” asked Mehran, a college student in Kashmir. “Kashmiris stand with Iran, not with Trump’s cheerleaders.”
The reaction reflects a deeper shift in Kashmir’s political consciousness. A generation raised amid conflict and broken promises now sees Pakistan’s foreign policy as transactional and opportunistic — far removed from the ideals of resistance and solidarity once championed in the Valley.
Social media is awash with posts slamming Pakistan’s move. Videos of Iranian flags being painted on walls and posters of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei being shared widely show a symbolic shift. Pro-Palestine and pro-Iran sentiments dominate, while Pakistan’s credibility dwindles.
“Kashmiris aren’t blind anymore. This isn’t the Pakistan we grew up defending,” Mehran said. “We know who supports the oppressors and who resists. Pakistan nominating Trump is a betrayal.”
For many, honouring Trump means legitimising the forces that have deepened their suffering. Analysts say the backlash points to a deeper ideological divorce. Pakistan’s recent outreach to the US and Gulf states may serve its diplomacy, but it’s eroding whatever emotional connection it once had with the Kashmiri street.
“For Kashmiris, resistance is now framed less by traditional alliances and more by shared experiences of oppression. And in that equation, Pakistan — once seen as the champion of their cause — increasingly looks like just another state chasing its own interests,” said a university professor.
“The Trump nomination might win headlines in Islamabad. In Kashmir, it’s only widened the emotional distance,” he added.