Oxford-educated former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan is expected to run for chancellor of his alma mater from prison via an online ballot, according to his close aide and media reports.

Khan, 71, has been imprisoned since August 2023 after being arrested and convicted in multiple cases, with the longest sentence being nine years. Founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, Khan served as Pakistan’s prime minister from August 2018 to April 2022.

He studied Economics and Politics at Keble College, Oxford, starting in 1972. He debuted in Test cricket for Pakistan in 1971 and captained the Oxford University cricket team. Khan was chancellor of Bradford University from 2005 to 2014.

“Imran Khan will run for chancellor of Oxford University from his prison cell in Pakistan, despite serving a 10-year jail sentence,” reported The Telegraph, UK. Entrepreneur Sayed Zulfi Bukhari, Khan’s advisor on international affairs, said, “There is a public demand for him to contest.”

For the first time, the chancellor elections will be held online, allowing graduates to participate without being present in full academic dress. The position typically goes to university graduates, often politicians.

On Thursday, Bukhari quoted The Telegraph’s report and said a decision on Khan’s candidacy would be made within 24-48 hours. Later, he confirmed to Pakistan’s Geo News that Khan would run for the post, with former UK prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Boris Johnson also among the candidates.

There has been no official statement from Khan or his PTI party. The Oxford chancellorship is vacant following the resignation of 80-year-old Lord Patten after 21 years. The role is a ceremonial head, presiding over major ceremonies, and the election will be conducted online, allowing participation from the university’s 350,000-strong convocation.

Source: PTI

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