A petition has been submitted to the University of Oxford, alleging that former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is attempting to run for the Chancellor post to further his personal and political agenda, without prioritizing the university’s interests.
The petition, led by Khurram Butt, a UK-based Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) activist, accuses Khan of using the Chancellor’s election as a platform for political gain, rather than serving the university.
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Butt claimed to have visited the university to submit new evidence and distribute leaflets, urging the institution to avoid getting caught up in political controversy. The petition references several allegations against Khan, including his involvement in a £190 million case with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), corruption scandals in Pakistan, and financial misconduct. It also mentions the Financial Times’ (FT) report on illegal funding for Khan’s political campaigns.
Concerns were raised regarding Khan’s suitability for the role, citing his controversial statements about women and his praise for the Taliban. The petition highlights remarks made by Khan, such as attributing women’s clothing as a factor in sexual assaults and applauding the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, which have sparked global criticism.
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It also references Khan’s resignation as Chancellor of Bradford University in 2014 due to his unavailability, suggesting that his current political engagements would prevent him from effectively serving Oxford University.
Butt emphasized that Khan’s ongoing legal issues in Pakistan, including corruption charges, make him unfit for such a prominent position, and warned that appointing him would tarnish the university’s reputation. The petition calls on Oxford’s Election Committee to reconsider Khan’s candidacy in light of these concerns.