ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to run for the post of Chancellor of the University of Oxford from prison, according to one of his close aides, Zulfi Bukhari, who confirmed on Saturday that the ex-premier had asked him to initiate the application process.
Since his ouster from power in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022, Khan has become entangled in a slew of legal cases, a frequent hazard for opposition figures in Pakistan.
He has been in jail for over a year, though all the convictions handed down to him ahead of the February 8 parliamentary election have either been suspended or overturned. However, he remains incarcerated on new charges.
While Khan could not contest the national polls due to the legal cases against him — which he claims are motivated to keep him out of politics — a British newspaper, The Telegraph, reported in July that he wanted to run for the position of Chancellor at the University of Oxford.
“I will confirm shortly when the procedure has been completed and submitted,” Bukhari said in a brief message circulated among the media while sharing the news.
The Chancellor of Oxford University is elected by the members of Convocation, which includes all alumni of the university who have been admitted to a degree. To be eligible to run for the position, a candidate must be nominated by at least two members of Convocation.
The election process is generally open to distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to public life, academia or other fields.
The chancellor’s role is largely ceremonial, but it is a prestigious position within the university.
Convocation will be asked to elect the new Chancellor online in the third week of Michaelmas term, starting on October 28.
Khan studied at Oxford, where he completed his degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics in 1975.
His decision to run for the position at the prestigious British university is expected to bring international attention to his incarceration in Pakistan.
Imran Khan to run for Oxford chancellor from prison amid legal battles, confirms aide
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Imran Khan to run for Oxford chancellor from prison amid legal battles, confirms aide
- The ex-PM studied at Oxford, completing his degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics in 1975
- His decision to run for the post is likely to get international attention to his incarceration in Pakistan
Pakistan president eyes strengthening trade, investment, tourism cooperation during Iraq visit
- President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Baghdad on Saturday for four-day visit aimed to bolster bilateral ties
- Zardari, Iraqi leaders to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in energy, manpower, technology and education
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari is in Iraq for a four-day visit where he will review bilateral ties and hold meetings with the country’s leadership to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, religious tourism and energy as well as other sectors, state-run media said this week.
Zardari arrived in Baghdad on a four-day trip on Saturday where he was received by the country’s Culture Minister Dr. Ahmed Fakkak Al-Badrani.
Pakistan and Iraq established diplomatic relations in 1947 and have traditionally maintained cordial ties, though commercial links remain modest, with officials and business groups identifying scope for cooperation in construction services, pharmaceuticals, manpower and agricultural exports.
“During the visit, President Asif Ali Zardari will hold high-level meetings with the Iraqi leadership, during which all aspects of bilateral relations will be reviewed,” state broadcaster Pakistan Television reported on Saturday.
“The meetings will consider ways to further strengthen cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, energy, reconstruction, manpower, technology, education, and people-to-people contacts.”
It said both sides are also expected to discuss regional and international issues, including cooperation at multilateral forums.
“The president’s visit is expected to further strengthen friendly relations between Pakistan and Iraq, explore new avenues of partnership, and promote people-to-people ties, particularly religious tourism and economic cooperation,” PTV said.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met his Iraqi counterpart, Abdul Ameer Al-Shammari, on the sidelines of meetings in Brussels, where both sides agreed to enhance cooperation on security and facilitate travel for Pakistani Shia pilgrims to Najaf and Karbala.
The two officials discussed measures to ensure the smoother movement of these pilgrims and their compliance with visa regulations.
