Imran Khan, the jailed former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has applied to become the next chancellor of the prestigious University of Oxford. Despite being incarcerated for over a year, Khan remains committed to his principles and causes, as stated by his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). His application was formally submitted through his party’s London-based spokesman, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari. If appointed, Khan would be the first person of Asian descent to hold the position of chancellor at Oxford.
The announcement comes after current chancellor Chris Patten announced his intention to step down earlier this year. The list of candidates for the 10-year term will be revealed in October, with voting set to take place later that month. Khan, an Oxford alumnus who studied philosophy, politics, and economics, has had a varied career as a cricket player, philanthropist, and politician. He served as the chancellor of the University of Bradford from 2005 to 2014 before becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022.
Despite facing charges ranging from corruption to inciting violence, Khan maintains that these accusations are politically motivated. He has criticized Pakistan’s military establishment, which once supported him, and continues to fight for his right to hold public office. Khan’s potential appointment as chancellor of Oxford University would not only be significant for Pakistan but also for all of Asia and the world.
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