PAKISTAN’S JAILED EX-PM IMRAN KHAN APPLIES TO BE OXFORD CHANCELLOR

Mon 19 August 2024:

Pakistan’s imprisoned ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan has filed nomination papers to contest for the chancellorship of Oxford University, his party announced on Sunday.

“As per Imran Khan’s instructions, his application form to Oxford University Chancellor Election 2024 has been submitted. We look forward to everyone’s support for a historic campaign,” Zulfikar Bukhari, a leader of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said in a post on X.

“Despite being unlawfully incarcerated for over a year, Khan remains committed to his principles and the causes he champions,” the PTI post said on Sunday.

Speaking to the AFP news agency, Bukhari said: “Imran Khan had given instructions that he would like to submit his application and now the application scrutiny will take place.”

“It’s a ceremonial post but one with utmost prestige and importance, and Imran Khan, being one of the larger or more popular names coming out of Oxford, it would be brilliant to see him as chancellor,” he said.

“If he does become the chancellor, he would be the first of Asian descent. It wouldn’t be something only for Pakistan, but it would be a great achievement for all of Asia and the rest of the world,” Bukhari added.

Previously, the former cricket star served as the chancellor of the University of Bradford from 2005 to 2014.

Khan, an alumnus of Oxford University, is currently languishing in a jail in the northeastern garrison city of Rawalpindi, seeking bail in multiple cases, which range from corruption to inciting violence.

Khan denies the allegations.

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