Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is facing calls to be disqualified from running in the Oxford University Chancellor election amid allegations of supporting the Taliban and Osama bin Laden, as well as making inappropriate comments about women’s clothing.
According to a report by the UK’s Daily Mail, following news of Khan’s interest in the cancellor race, Oxford University has received protest emails deeming him unfit for the position.
Khan confirmed he was running to be Oxford’s new chancellor on August 25.
The former prime minister and cricketer, 71, said he wanted to ‘give back’ to the university, where he studied 50 years ago.
He will stand to replace Tory peer Lord Patten, 80, despite having been in jail for more than a year on corruption charges he says are politically motivated.
The emails argue that it is unacceptable for a person convicted in corruption cases to contest for the chancellor role at an esteemed academic institution like Oxford University.
The Daily Mail reports that Khan’s alleged support for the Taliban and Osama bin Laden poses a significant barrier to his candidacy. Khan’s supporters have reportedly engaged in social media trolling to counter the criticism. The publication referred to Khan as a “disgraced” former prime minister in its coverage.
Khan previously proposed allowing the Taliban to set up an office in Pakistan which sparked widespread backlash. He also reportedly called them freedom fighters when the US was present in Afghanistan.
The petition also highlights other personal and public interest conflicts related to Khan. It criticises his controversial remarks attributing incidents of sexual assault to women’s clothing choices. Khan had previously stated that “immodest clothing” contributes to such incidents, suggesting that only robots would remain unaffected by such attire.
“He has repeatedly blamed women’s clothing for incidents of rape, claiming that ‘if a woman wears very few clothes, it will have an impact on men unless they’re robots’. Such remarks shift the blame away from the perpetrators and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women.”
Those fighting against Khan’s candidacy say his supporters have harassed and attacked critics online.
“This use of social media to silence critics and discredit accusers reflects a disturbing pattern of behaviour that raises serious questions about Mr Khan’s respect for women’s rights and personal integrity,” the petition states.
“Oxford University has a long history of upholding the highest standards of leadership, ethical behaviour, and respect for human rights—values that seem at odds with Mr. Khan’s public and personal record.”
The university has confirmed the shortlist of candidates for the chancellor position will be announced in early October.
The contest is set for October 28 with 250,000 alumni and former staff set to vote online. The new chancellor will serve a ten-year term.
These remarks have sparked public outrage, adding to the demands for Khan’s exclusion from the university’s election process.