ISLAMABAD: In a historic development this week, a student from Pakistan’s Balochistan was elected as the head of the Oxford Union, considered one of the most prestigious debating societies around the world. 

The Oxford Union, founded in 1823, has a tradition of hosting internationally prominent individuals across politics, academia, and popular culture. 

The union remains an independent, student-led society with a membership primarily drawn from The University of Oxford. Members have the opportunity to meet their heroes and challenge those with whom they disagree in a forum that promotes debate and critical thinking.

Israr Khan, who hails from Pakistan’s restive southwestern Balochistan province, got elected on Saturday as the president of the Union after bagging 617 first preferences, winning by a significant margin over contender Izzy Horrocks-Taylor’s 393 first preferences. He hails from Balochistan’s Killa Abdullah city. 

“Coming from a remote village on Pak- Afghan border in Balochistan, this is beyond what I ever imagined,” Khan wrote on social media platform X. 

“I am incredibly grateful to the members of the Oxford Union for their trust in electing me as President, and to my team for believing in me.”

Khan is pursuing a DPhil in Law at Regent’s Park College and has served as the Union’s Chief of Staff. According to the Oxford University’s student newspaper, Khan emphasized fighting the Union’s “institutional racism” while Horrocks-Taylor centered her campaign on increasing “female representation on committees and in our term card.”

Khan is the third Pakistani student who has been elected to head the prestigious debating union. Before him, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Oxford University student Ahmad Nawaz were also elected to head the Oxford Union. 

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti took to X to congratulate Khan on his achievement. 

“A proud moment for Balochistan & Pakistan,” Bugti wrote. “Following in the footsteps of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, @IkIsrar has won the @OxfordUnion Presidency. More power to you, Israr!“

Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir posted a picture with Khan on X. 

“Israr Khan is the first student from Balochistan and 3rd from Pakistan who has been elected as the President of Oxford Union,” Mir wrote.