ISLAMABAD: A senior Pakistan expert has questioned the sincerity of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to contest for the chancellorship of Oxford University terming it a purely political move.
Asif Mehmood in his article published in Independent Urdu said it seems that Imran Khan wants to use chancellorship to achieve his political goals.
He added that the PTI founder’s decision has raised some important legal questions. The first question is does PTI founder meet the criteria for becoming the chancellor of one of the most prestigious universities in the world?
According to the university rules a person running for election must have achieved extraordinary success in his field and is widely respected. The expert added that Imran Khan has indeed achieved extraordinary success and made a name for himself in his core field (cricket), but whether he is respected widely due to his controversial political moves.
Mehmood said the PTI founder is a controversial political figure, so much so the society has become polarized on the basis of his praise and criticism.
He noted that university rules state the Chancellor cannot be a member of any Legislative Assembly, nor can he be a candidate for any political post.
The author noted that earlier the Chancellor was elected for a lifetime but after the amendment, the duration has been cut to 10 years. He asked if Imran Khan would win the slot whether he would withdraw from Pakistan’s electoral politics for 10 years.
He said it seems that Imran Khan’s main priority is not becoming the chancellor of Oxford University but to use this post to achieve his political goals.
He said Imran Khan thinks that if he wants to become chancellor of Oxford University it will no longer be possible to keep him in prison and prosecute him, or that he will be out of jail within no time. The expert added Oxford is an academic institution, not a state, and does not enjoy diplomatic immunity at any level.
He added one must ask why the former prime minister of Pakistan is a candidate for the chancellorship of Oxford. Is it a political necessity or does he want to remain closer with his former colonial masters?
