Jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize over his rule and efforts for human rights and democracy.
The announcement was made early Saturday by members of the Pakistan World Alliance (PWA)-an advocacy group founded last December-who also belong to the Norwegian political party Partiet Sentrum.
“We are pleased to announce on behalf of Partiet Sentrum that in alliance with somebody with the right to nominate, have nominated Mr. Imran Khan the former Prime Minister of Pakistan to the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with human rights and democracy in Pakistan,” said Partiet Sentrum on X.
In 2019, Khan was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote peace in South Asia.
Every year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee receives hundreds of nominations, after which they select the winner through a lengthy eight-month process.
Khan, also the founder of Pakistan’s main opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been incarcerated since August 2023. This January, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison in a case related to the misuse of authority and corruption.
It was the fourth major case in which the former premier has been convicted. Three earlier convictions related to selling state gifts, leaking state secrets, and unlawful marriage were overturned or suspended by courts.
Khan lost power after a no-confidence vote in April 2022. He denies all charges against him, calling them politically motivated.