Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) supremo Imran Khan is set to apply for the position of chancellor at Oxford University, despite currently serving a ten-year jail sentence.
The seat became vacant following the resignation of 80-year-old Lord Patten, who stepped down after 21 years in the role, according to the media reports.
Oxford University describes the chancellor’s role as a ceremonial head, typically an eminent public figure elected for life, presiding over all major ceremonies. The election process for the new chancellor will be conducted online for the first time, allowing the university’s 350,000-strong convocation to participate.
Imran Khan is currently imprisoned on charges of inciting protests and violence against the military in May of the previous year, allegations which he denies. In a recent interview from jail, Khan stated, “I am confined in a 7ft by 8ft death cell, typically reserved for terrorists. People voted for me because they are fed up with the current system and how Pakistan is being run.”
Khan, who studied Economics and Politics at Keble College, Oxford in 1972, also captained the university’s cricket team. He debuted for Pakistan’s Test cricket team in 1971 and served as the chancellor of Bradford University from 2005 to 2014.
Syed Zulfi Bukhari, Khan’s advisor on international media, confirmed the candidacy, citing public demand for Khan’s participation.
“We will announce it publicly once we get a go-ahead from Khan and start the signature campaign for it,” Bukhari said.
