No Peace Prize for Imran Khan this year: Norwegian press

Amid conflicting reports on Imran Khan's alleged nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, state-run Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) has claimed that the former Pakistan prime minister (PM) will not be considered for the award this year, and has shed light on possible political motives behind the announcement. 

The incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder was last week reported to have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Centre Party. The alleged nomination had sparked widespread speculation as the Nobel Institute itself does not confirm or deny any nominations for the prize until 50 years have passed.  

With the news and counterclaims drawing global attention, the Norwegian press has quoted Nobel Institute Director Kristian Berg Harpviken as saying that the announcement by Norwegian Centre Party leader Geir Lippestad appeared to be an attempt at gaining maximum support from the Pakistani-Norwegian community for a seat in the parliament.

Harpviken criticised the move, stating it was the first time a Norwegian politician had used the Nobel Peace Prize for personal political ambitions, and warned of multiple consequences. He expressed concern over the potential creation of a false impression that a Norwegian politician could influence the nomination process, and said it could cast doubts over the credibility of the prize, besides raising security concerns for both the nominee and the nominator.

While Lippestad has defended his stance, stating that Norwegian politicians have previously discussed Nobel nominations, Harpviken emphasised that this case was unique since the politician was not yet a member of the Storting – supreme legislature of Norway – but was seeking to be one.

"There have been many cases of sitting MPs being open about who they have nominated. What is special here is that a person who is not a member of the Storting, but wants to be there, promises specifically who he will nominate," Harpviken said.

Lippestad, however, maintained it was not his intention to use the nomination announcement for any political gains."It is not our point to use this for any election campaign proposal, but to lift Imran Khan and his work. And not least what is happening in Pakistan now.  Many are imprisoned without trial, and many are tortured. That is what we are concerned about."

The NRK report, published a week after the announcement by the Norwegian party and consequent attention, further said that the deadline for nominations for this year's Peace Prize was January 31. This means that Khan – even if someone with the right to nominate had nominated him – would not be considered for the award this year.