OSLO: The Partiet Sentrum, a Norwegian political party, has come under intense scrutiny after nominating Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The nomination was put forward for Khan’s alleged “services related to human rights and democracy.” This has sparked widespread criticism in Norway, with many accusing the party of political maneuvering. In a social media announcement, Partiet Sentrum revealed that they had collaborated with an unnamed individual who holds the right to nominate candidates for the prestigious prize. The party’s statement emphasized that Khan was nominated for his contributions to human rights and democracy in Pakistan, which it described as significant.

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five prestigious awards established by Alfred Nobel’s will, designed to recognize efforts towards peace, international cooperation, and the reduction of conflict. Each year, hundreds of nominations are reviewed by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, and the final selection process lasts several months. However, critics have raised concerns over the timing and motives behind this particular nomination. Imran Khan, who was ousted from office in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote, has been in custody at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail since September 2023 due to numerous legal challenges. Despite being incarcerated, Khan remains a central figure of interest, particularly for international lawmakers who have called for his release.

However, the nomination has attracted significant controversy, with accusations that Partiet Sentrum is using the nomination for electoral purposes. Critics claim that the nomination is a move to appeal to Norway’s Pakistani community and increase political support for the party. Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director of the Nobel Institute, suggested that the party leader, Geir Lippestad, might be attempting to secure a seat in the Storting (Norwegian parliament) by exploiting Khan’s popularity among the Pakistani diaspora.

A vocal critic, NRK News noted the potential for the nomination to be a strategic move by Lippestad to enhance his party’s standing within the political landscape. The controversy surrounding the nomination grew after Shabaz Gill, a former PTI leader, expressed gratitude towards Lippestad and others for their support in nominating Khan, further fueling speculation that the nomination was politically driven. This is not the first time Imran Khan has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2019, he was also put forward for the award in recognition of his efforts to promote peace in South Asia. However, Khan himself dismissed the nomination, stating he did not believe he was worthy of the honor. As part of the ongoing debate, some international lawmakers, especially from the United States, have raised concerns about Khan’s continued incarceration.

Despite calls for his release, the US State Department has refrained from commenting directly on the issue, highlighting the complexities surrounding Khan’s legal troubles and imprisonment. While the Nobel Prize Committee has not issued any official statements regarding the nomination, the controversy continues to grow as discussions unfold both in Norway and internationally.