Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has officially applied to become the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, according to a statement from his party. Despite being imprisoned, Khan's application was submitted through Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, the London-based spokesperson for Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Bukhari announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the application for the Oxford Chancellor Election 2024 has been filed as per Khan’s instructions. "We look forward to everyone’s support for a historic campaign," Bukhari wrote.
The PTI stressed Khan's ongoing commitment to his principles and causes, despite his incarceration. Bukhari described the chancellorship as a prestigious and ceremonial role, noting that Khan’s potential election would be a historic milestone for both Pakistan and Asia.
Khan graduated from Oxford in 1975, studying philosophy, politics, and economics. He is competing against high-profile candidates, including former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, for the role of Chancellor.
The University of Oxford’s Convocation, composed of all alumni with degrees from the university, will elect the new Chancellor. Nominations require support from at least two Convocation members, and voting will take place online during the third week of the Michaelmas term, starting October 28. The new Chancellor will serve a 10-year term.
Khan, who served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 until his ouster in April 2022, has been in jail since August 2023. His imprisonment follows a series of legal challenges, including charges of corruption and sedition, which he disputes, alleging they are politically motivated.
Although Khan's previous convictions have been overturned or suspended, he remains behind bars on new charges. This situation has barred him from running for public office. His party, PTI, won the majority of parliamentary seats in recent elections, but allegations of vote rigging prevented them from forming a government, allowing a military-backed coalition to take power with Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister.
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