Imran Khan Oxford University chancellor bid rejected, says adviser

Reuters Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks during an interview with Reuters in Islamabad, Pakistan June 4, 2021. He has medium length black hair, and is wearing a beige jacket over a white shirt.Reuters

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has had his bid to become chancellor of the University of Oxford rejected, his adviser has said.

Mr Khan, who has been in prison for more than a year on charges he says are politically motivated, submitted his application for the predominantly ceremonial role in September.

On Wednesday, the university released a shortlist of 38 candidates who will take part in the first round of voting among its alumni later this month – with Mr Khan’s name not featuring.

The university told the BBC that it would not be commenting on individual applications for the role.

It also highlighted its rules for prospective candidates, including that they must not be disqualified from being a charity trustee or subject to a disqualification order made by the Charity Commission, and must be a “fit and proper person” as determined by Revenue & Customs (HMRC) guidance.

Getty Images Imran Khan bowling. He is in cricket whites and has long black hair.Getty Images

Mr Khan captained his country at cricket, before turning to a career in politics

In a post on X, Khan’s adviser Sayed Bukhari said the university’s decision was “extremely unfortunate”.

“This is a loss for Oxford Uni to present itself as a global trend setting institution,” he said.

Mr Bukhari added that he had written to the university asking for an explanation of its decision to exclude Mr Khan from the ballot.

The former cricket star is already an honorary fellow of Oxford’s Keble College, where he studied philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) in the 1970s.

Getty Images Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party supporters hold portraits of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan and wave a PTI flag, which is green and red, as they protest against the alleged skewing in Pakistan's national election, in Peshawar on March 10, 2024Getty Images

PTI supporters protested Khan’s arrest in March

Mr Khan has been jailed since his arrest on 5 August 2023.

His lawyers and his political party, PTI, claim that more than 200 cases have been registered against him and only two cases were decided in this time.

Mr Khan was exonerated in an illegal marriage case and the cypher case, in which he was accused of divulging state secrets. He was also granted bail in more than two dozen cases by the local courts but he remains behind bars.

Currently he is under trial in a case registered by the National Accountability Bureau, in which he is accused of misusing his prime ministership to unlawfully buy and sell state gifts and for not declaring his assets.

The ex-prime minister has also been booked in numerous cases around the violent riots that broke out after he was first taken into custody.

William Hague sat down. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt and light blue tie. He is bald. Behind him is a graphic depiction of the London skyline.

Former leader of the opposition Lord Hague is on the shortlist of candidates

Among the 38 names on the shortlist that will be voted on by the university’s staff and graduates are former Conservative Party leader Lord Hague and Lord Mandelson, who was a key architect of New Labour.

Both studied at the university, before climbing to the top of British politics.

The first round of voting will take place in the week commencing 28 October, with the top five candidates going through to a final round of voting in the first week of November.

The successful candidate will be announced as chancellor later in November.

University of Oxford Lord Chris Patten dressed in a black suit jacket and white shirt. Over his jacket is a black gown with gold trimings, and he has a mortarboard cap on his head. Out of focus behind him is a green lawn and an old sandstone building.University of Oxford

Lord Patten had served as Chancellor since 2003

The role cannot be held by current students, employees of the university or candidates to political office.

Chris Patten is the outgoing chancellor and has held the position since 2003.

Lord Patten, 80, was the last Governor of Hong Kong from 1992 to 1997 and chairman of the Conservative Party from 1990 to 1992.

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