Jailed Imran Khan applies to become new chancellor of Oxford University from prison cell
By Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Evening Standard
205.8K Followers
20/08/24
Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has applied to become the new chancellor Oxford University from his prison cell.
Mr Khan was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in Parliament in April 2022.
In January, he was sentenced to 14 years in jail in Pakistan for corruption, a day after being sentenced to 10 years for leaking state secrets. He was also disqualified for 10 years from holding any public office.
Mr Khan’s convictions and sentencing in January were his second and third since he was ousted from power, and came ahead of Pakistan’s February 8 parliamentary elections.
The sentences are concurrent, meaning they are being served at the same time.
On Sunday, his former adviser Sayed Z Bukhari announced Mr Khan has applied to become the new chancellor of Oxford University.
He wrote on X: “As per Imran Khan’s instructions, his application form to Oxford University Chancellor Election 2024 has been submitted. We look forward to everyone’s support for a historic campaign”.
Despite his convictions and sentencing, Mr Khan remains popular in Pakistan, where many of his followers believe his January convictions were attempts to sideline him ahead of the general election.
In February’s election, independent candidates affiliated with Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the most seats despite a crackdown and ban on the party.
Related video: Jailed Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan applies to be Oxford University Chancellor (WION)