Much to the disappointment of the supporters and voters of former premier, Imran Khan has been excluded from the Oxford University chancellor elections, expected to take place at the end of October.
Speculations surround the real reasons behind the exclusion of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from the final list of candidates running for the chancellor election for Oxford University. The list of the final candidates was issued earlier this week, with the name of Khan not present among the candidates. While his opponents rejoiced, followers and supporters were surprised, upset and furious. Reactions overflowed on social media.
Expressing dismay, PTI leader Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari claims that Oxford University blocked Imran Khan from contesting elections after the Government of Pakistan pressured the university administration.
“The Oxford University has made a very narrow-minded and pressured decision to block Imran Khan. The decision came as a big disappointment because the whole of Pakistan wanted Imran Khan to take part in the Oxford University chancellor election. People from India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and many Islamic countries wanted Imran Khan to take part,” Bukhari told Geo News.
Oxford University, however, did not give an official statement regarding the reasons for its exclusion from the list of candidates.
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Regarding the exclusion, Sayed Zulfi Bukhari said: “It’s extremely unfortunate that Oxford University has excluded Imran Khan’s name from the Oxford Chancellor Election. My lawyers have written to the university asking for their reasons. We had taken several lawyers’ & barristers’ opinions prior to his application. This is a loss for Oxford Uni to present itself as a global trend-setting institution. I thank & apologise to all those who have supported globally.”
“I apologize to Pakistanis around the world that I was not successful in this endeavor. I know my nation and many others would have loved to see Imran Khan as the new Chancellor of Oxford. On behalf of Imran Khan, I wish all the candidates the best of luck in the elections ahead,” he said in a tweet on X.
However, journalist Murtaza Ali Shah believes that the university administration was concerned regarding the political future of Imran Khan. Currently not a legislature but he has a chance of becoming premier of the country once again in the future. According to the laws, the candidate should not be a legislator.
Meanwhile, an op-ed column published in The Telegraph says that his alleged support for the Taliban made him lose his candidacy. However, the drama and speculations continue amid the ongoing crisis of 26th Constitutional amendment fiercely led by the government and ruling coalition.