Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former prime minister who is currently imprisoned, has officially applied to become the next chancellor of the University of Oxford, according to a statement from his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been in jail for a year facing various charges, including corruption and inciting violence, which he claims are politically motivated to prevent his return to power.
Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, Khan’s London-based spokesperson, confirmed the application in a statement to AFP. “Imran Khan had given instructions that he would like to submit his application and now the application scrutiny will take place,” Bukhari said. He described the chancellor role as “ceremonial but one with utmost prestige and importance,” adding that Khan, a prominent alumnus of Oxford, would be a distinguished choice for the position.
The chancellor position at Oxford, held by Conservative peer Chris Patten until his recent announcement in February that he would step down, is a highly respected role with a 10-year term. The list of candidates for the role will not be made public until October, with voting scheduled for later that month, according to Oxford’s official website.
Khan graduated from Oxford in 1975, where he studied philosophy, politics, and economics. Before entering politics, Khan was celebrated as one of Pakistan’s greatest cricket players and led a high-profile lifestyle, frequently appearing in British gossip magazines. His personal life has also been a subject of public interest, including his three marriages, one of which was to British socialite and filmmaker Jemima Goldsmith.
After his cricket career, Khan turned to philanthropy and later politics, founding PTI. His tenure as prime minister was marked by controversy, including backlash from women’s rights groups after he linked Pakistan’s high rates of sexual violence to women’s clothing. Khan’s political career took a dramatic turn when he was ousted from office in 2022, prompting him to launch a comeback campaign that saw him criticize Pakistan’s powerful military and draw massive crowds in his support.
Bukhari emphasized the significance of Khan’s potential appointment as chancellor, stating, “If he does become the chancellor, he would be the first of Asian descent. It wouldn’t be something only for Pakistan, but it would be a great achievement for all of Asia and the rest of the world.”
Other notable candidates for the Oxford chancellorship reportedly include former UK foreign secretary William Hague and former EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson, according to British media sources.