Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s bid to become chancellor of the University of Oxford has been denied, according to his advisor Sayed Z Bukhari. Mr. Khan, who has been imprisoned for over a year on politically motivated charges, submitted his application for the largely ceremonial role in September. While the university released a shortlist of 38 candidates who will take part in the first round of voting, Mr. Khan’s name was not included. The university said it would not comment on individual applications for the position.
The university cited rules for prospective candidates, including that they must not be disqualified from being a charity trustee, subject to a disqualification order from the Charity Commission, and deemed a “fit and proper person” by HMRC’s guidance. Mr. Khan is already an honorary fellow of Oxford’s Keble College, where he studied philosophy, politics, and economics in the 1970s.
Mr. Khan’s advisor stated that the university’s decision was “extremely unfortunate” and added that he had asked the university for an explanation. William Hague, former leader of the opposition, and Peter Mandelson, an architect of New Labour, are among the 38 candidates on the ballot, which will be voted on by the university’s staff and graduates. The top five candidates will proceed to the final round of voting in the first week of November.
The chancellorship cannot be held by current students, university employees, or political office candidates. Chris Patten, the outgoing chancellor, held the role 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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