Over 170 Oxford University alumni, staff members want Imran Khan as their chancellor

A massive show of support has emerged for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's candidacy for Oxford University's chancellorship, with over 170 alumni, staff members, and current students signing a petition in his favour.

Geo News, in its report, said that the varsity has confirmed receipt of the petition to its correspondent in London.

According to the publication, the petition highlights Khan's fitness for the esteemed position, citing his impressive achievements and lifelong commitment to public service.

Geo News reported that the petition was signed by almost 176 alumni, staff members, and students and that the move was taken by Khan's international affairs adviser Zulfi Bukhari.

The petition cited the former prime minister's notable accomplishments, including leading Pakistan to Cricket World Cup victory in 1992, founding the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Namal University, serving as chancellor of the University of Bradford for nine years, implementing the innovative Ehsaas program, and executing the Billion Tree Tsunami initiative.

“We, the undersigned members of the University of Oxford’s student and faculty community as well as its global alumni network, welcome Imran Khan's candidacy for the esteemed position of Chancellor, a notable Global South alumnus whose accomplishments embody the values which Oxford University is revered for. Khan has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service, inspiring numerous Oxford students by virtue of his leadership,” it added.

The petitioners expressed confidence that Khan's candidacy aligns with the Election Committee's requirements, addressing concerns about his imprisonment. 

"Imran Khan is neither a student nor an employee of Oxford, nor is he currently serving in, or standing for, any elected legislature; he is not disqualified from being a charity trustee and continues to serve as the founding chairman of both Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Namal University; claims attempting to label Imran Khan as not ‘fit and proper’ on the basis of his imprisonment are misleading, as he is not sentenced or convicted in any case and is currently on remand, with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention having declared his incarceration illegal.

"As a matter of principle, we ask you to ensure that all candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are provided the opportunity to participate in this election, which will uphold the integrity of the democratic process. The undersigned express confidence that the Election Committee will enable Imran Khan to present his vision to Oxford’s esteemed members of Convocation," it concluded.

The development came after chairman of Youth Coordination Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) UK Khurram Butt campaigned against Khan's candidacy, distributing leaflets and submitting a petition labeling him "unfit" for the position. 

The university's Election Committee will review the petitions and determine the eligibility of candidates.

The election is set to take place in late October in a convocation of Oxford members and graduates of the university.

Mr Khan is an Alumni of Oxford University, who graduated from Keble College at the varsity in 1975. He read philosophy, politics, and economics during his time there and even captained the university’s cricket team.

Imran Khan had also served as the chancellor of Bradford University from 2005 to 2014.

Earlier in August this year, Conservative peer Lord Daniel Hannan and independent MPs Shockat Adam and Adnan Hussain threw their support behind Mr Khan to become the next Chancellor of the prestigious Oxford University.