A petition has surfaced alleging that former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s bid for the Chancellor position at the University of Oxford is motivated by personal and political ambitions rather than a commitment to the institution’s welfare.
The petition, filed by PMLN UK activist Khurram Butt, claims Khan aims to leverage the Chancellor’s election to boost his political image.
Butt, who visited the university to distribute flyers and present new evidence, warned that Khan’s involvement in the election could embroil the institution in political controversy.
The petition brings attention to an ongoing £190 million investigation by the UK’s National Crime Agency, which purportedly links Khan to corruption in both Pakistan and the UK.
The document states, “We believe that Mr. Khan’s candidacy is incompatible with the values of this prestigious institution,” citing multiple controversies surrounding his political career.
It specifically mentions Khan’s conviction for misusing state gifts, where he allegedly profited from selling gifts valued at over $5 million, originally received from Saudi Arabia, at a significantly higher price in the UAE grey market.
Furthermore, the petition details concerns about Khan’s handling of funds returned to Pakistani tycoon Malik Riaz after a settlement involving the NCA, suggesting that Khan received personal benefits in return.
The claim asserts that Khan’s legal troubles in Pakistan, including ongoing investigations into financial misconduct, undermine his qualifications for the Chancellor role.
Butt’s petition also critiques Khan’s public remarks, including controversial comments on sexual assault, which have drawn international condemnation.
Additionally, it highlights Khan’s previous praise for the Taliban, arguing that such views conflict with the values of an educational institution committed to human rights and critical thinking.
In a statement outside Oxford University, Butt noted Khan’s resignation from the Chancellor position at Bradford University in 2014 due to student discontent over his lack of engagement.
He expressed concerns that Khan’s current push for the Oxford role appears to be a strategic move for political gain amidst rising public engagements.
Butt emphasized that Khan’s ongoing legal challenges, coupled with similar investigations into other family members, raise serious questions about his suitability for the prestigious position.
The petition concludes with a call for the Election Committee to reconsider Khan’s candidacy, asserting that his appointment would contradict Oxford University’s principles of integrity and academic excellence.
