Imran Khan Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the second time. The members of the Pakistan World Alliance (PWA) announced his nomination in recognition of his contributions to human rights and democracy. This advocacy group is part of the Norwegian political party Partiet Sentrum. Imran Khan is the founder and former chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the present opposition party. Currently, Khan is jailed on corruption charges.

This is Imran Khan’s second nomination for the most prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. On Sunday, the advocacy group on X said, “We are pleased to announce on behalf of Partiet Sentrum that in alliance with somebody with the right to nominate, we have nominated Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, to the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with human rights and democracy in Pakistan”.

Qualified nominators, which include members of national assemblies and governments have right to nominate. However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee, every year receives hundreds of nominations. Furthermore, the winner is selected after an 8-month long rigorous process.

Imran Khan is nominated for his decision to release Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in February 2019. The Indian Commander was captured by Pakistani officials inside their territory after the Balakot airstrikes. In addition to that, this decision is treated goodwill that avoided hostility between Pakistan and India.

Khan held the Prime Minister position from 2018 to 2022. Surprisingly, In April 2022, he became the first Prime Minister to lose power through a no-confidence vote. He was imprisoned since August 2023 for charges of corruption. He is accused of selling state gifts, leaking state secrets, and unlawful marriage. The court suspended these charges calling politically motivated. However, He was sentenced to 14 years in prison this January in a case of misuse of authority and corruption. Khan is also Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning captain.

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