Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has reportedly been excluded from the list of candidates for the prestigious position of Chancellor at the University of Oxford. Khan, who has been detained since August 2023 and is barred from standing for office in Pakistan, had applied for the position but was not shortlisted.
Khan, 72, served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. Since his ousting in a no-confidence vote, he has been embroiled in over 200 legal cases, which he claims were orchestrated by Pakistan’s powerful military. Khan studied philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) at Keble College, Oxford, from 1972 to 1975, and also captained the university’s cricket team.
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Imran Khan, who graduated from Oxford in 1975, gained prominence not only as one of Pakistan’s greatest cricket players but also for his high-profile lifestyle. According to Al Jazeera, Khan was a regular figure in British gossip magazines during his cricket career. He has been married three times, including to British socialite and filmmaker Jemima Goldsmith, and served as Chancellor of the University of Bradford from 2005 to 2014.
Khan later transitioned into philanthropy and politics, leading to his term as Pakistan’s Prime Minister. However, his political career has been marred by numerous legal challenges since his removal from office. Khan was arrested on August 5, 2023, following his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case, although he has not been released despite securing bail in some cases.
Oxford’s Chancellor Election Process
The election for Oxford University’s Chancellor is underway, with more than 250,000 alumni set to vote in an online ballot later this year. The successful candidate will serve a 10-year term, working alongside the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey.
The election will take place in two rounds, with the first round beginning in the week of October 28. Voters will rank the candidates, and the top five will proceed to the second round, scheduled for the week of November 18. The new Chancellor will be announced in the week of November 25.
The Chancellor is the titular head of Oxford University, presiding over key ceremonies and chairing the Committee to Elect the Vice-Chancellor. The Chancellor also undertakes advisory, advocacy, and fundraising duties, acting as an ambassador for the university at national and international events. The position has existed at Oxford since 1224, with the incoming Chancellor set to serve for a maximum of 10 years, following recent amendments to the university’s statutes.