Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has applied to become the new chancellor Oxford University from his prison cell.
Mr Khan was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in Parliament in April 2022.
In January, he was sentenced to 14 years in jail in Pakistan for corruption, a day after being sentenced to 10 years for leaking state secrets. He was also disqualified for 10 years from holding any public office.
Mr Khan’s convictions and sentencing in January were his second and third since he was ousted from power, and came ahead of Pakistan's February 8 parliamentary elections.
The sentences are concurrent, meaning they are being served at the same time.
On Sunday, his former adviser Sayed Z Bukhari announced Mr Khan has applied to become the new chancellor of Oxford University.
He wrote on X: “As per Imran Khan’s instructions, his application form to Oxford University Chancellor Election 2024 has been submitted. We look forward to everyone’s support for a historic campaign”.
Despite his convictions and sentencing, Mr Khan remains popular in Pakistan, where many of his followers believe his January convictions were attempts to sideline him ahead of the general election.
In February’s election, independent candidates affiliated with Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the most seats despite a crackdown and ban on the party.
Oxford University’s website says: “The chancellor is the titular head of the University and presides over several key ceremonies. In addition to these formal duties, the Chancellor undertakes advocacy, advisory and fundraising work, acting as an ambassador for the University at a range of local, national and international events.
Oxford University’s former chancellor, the Rt Hon the Lord Patten of Barnes, retired on July 31 following 21 years in the role. He was formerly the Governor of Hong Kong between 1992 and 1997, overseeing return of Hong Kong to China.
A new chancellor will be elected by online vote at the end of October.
The successful candidate will be announced in November.
Oxford University has been approached for a comment.
Source: London Evening Standard
BDST: 1034 HRS, AUG 20, 2024
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