Sayed Zulfi Bukhari, Imran’s adviser on international matters, said Geo News that Pakistan’s imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan would run for the position of Oxford University Chancellor.
Mr Bukhari told a Pakistan-based media site on Thursday that the Chancellor’s position became vacant after Lord Patten, 80, retired after 21 years of service.
Mr Khan, an Oxford alumnus, will run for office despite being imprisoned in Adiala Jail for many charges of corruption and instigation to violence during last year’s elections.
Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, former UK prime ministers, are Imran Khan’s opponents in the contest to become Chancellor of Oxford University.
In 1972, Mr Khan attended Keble College in Oxford, where he studied Economics and Politics. He also captained the university’s cricket squad. He made his Test cricket debut for Pakistan in 1971 and was chancellor of Bradford University from 2005 until 2014, according to Geo News.
Mr. Bukhari informed Geo News that there is public support for Imran Khan’s candidacy.
“We will announce it publicly once we get a go-ahead from Khan and start the signature campaign for it. He’s the most suited person right now for this post and we hope he will win the contest. We await approval from Khan and the campaign will begin,” Geo News reported, quoting Imran Khan’s international advisor.
The Chancellor of the Oxford University is a ceremonial head who presides over important events. The university invited online applications.
The Chancellor is elected by Convocation, a body made up of all former students of the University who have been admitted to a degree (other than an honorary degree), members of Congregation, and retired staff who were members of Congregation at retirement, the Oxford University website stated.
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