Norwegian Political Party Faces Criticism Over Imran Khan’s Nobel Peace Prize Nomination
A Norwegian political party, Partiet Sentrum, has come under criticism for nominating PTI founder and former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan for the Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination, announced via the party’s official X account, was reportedly made in collaboration with an unnamed intermediary who has the right to submit nominations.
Controversy Surrounding the Nomination
The decision has sparked backlash, with accusations that Partiet Sentrum is leveraging the nomination to gain political support. According to NRK News, critics argue that the party is using the Peace Prize nomination to win votes, particularly within the Norwegian-Pakistani community.
Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of the Nobel Institute, suggested that Geir Lippestad, the party’s leader, is seeking a seat in the Norwegian Storting (parliament) and may be using this move as a strategic electoral advantage.
Nobel Committee’s Stance and Past Nominations
As of now, the Oslo-based Nobel Prize Committee has not issued an official response regarding Partiet Sentrum’s announcement. It is important to note that the nomination process for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize concluded on January 31. The committee has registered 338 candidates this year, including 244 individuals and 94 organizations. However, it does not publicly disclose the names of nominators or nominees.
Imran Khan was previously nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his efforts to promote peace in South Asia.
Political Context
Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022, was ousted from power through a no-confidence vote in April 2022. He has since faced multiple legal challenges, which he claims are politically motivated, though the government denies these allegations.
The nomination of Imran Khan for the Nobel Peace Prize has ignited political debate in Norway, with critics questioning the motives behind the move. While the Nobel Committee has yet to comment, the controversy highlights the intersection of international politics and Norway’s domestic electoral landscape. Whether the nomination will have any impact on Khan’s global standing or the Norwegian party’s political fortunes remains to be seen.
