ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former prime minister, Imran Khan, has formally applied to run for chancellor of the University of Oxford in Britain, despite being currently incarcerated, a close aide announced Sunday.
The announcement was made by, Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari, on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
Khan, who led Pakistan from 2018 until his removal via a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022, has been in prison since August of the previous year. He is imprisoned for charges of corruption, sedition, and incitement to violence. He had also previously served as the Chancellor of Bradford University from 2005 to 2014.
According to Bukhari, Khan’s application to stand for the position of Oxford University Chancellor in the upcoming 2024 election has been submitted. “As per Imran Khan’s instructions, his application form to Oxford University Chancellor Election 2024 has been submitted,” Bukhari stated.
Khan’s connection to Oxford University is well-established. He graduated from the prestigious institution in 1975, where he studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. His candidacy for the chancellorship comes at a time when the position is contested by notable figures, including former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson.
The election for the Oxford University Chancellor will be conducted through an unprecedented online ballot, as stated on the university’s official website. This ballot will be held during the third week of the Michaelmas term, beginning on October 28.
The chancellor is elected by the Convocation members, who include all alumni who have been granted a degree from the university. Candidates must receive nominations from at least two Convocation members to qualify for the election.
The role of Chancellor is a prestigious one, traditionally held by notable university graduates and often prominent political figures. The elected Chancellor will serve a ten-year term, overseeing the university’s academic and administrative functions.
