The University of Oxford has faced backlash, including angry emails and a petition, following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s announcement that he plans to run for chancellor from his prison cell in Pakistan.
Concerns have been raised about Khan’s candidacy, particularly regarding his past support for the Taliban and his criminal conviction.
The university has received feedback expressing concerns about Khan’s candidacy, the Daily Mail reported.
A petition opposing him states, “Although Mr. Khan is a well-known figure, there are serious issues in his public and personal history that warrant careful examination.”
It further notes, “Mr. Imran Khan has often voiced opinions and taken actions that align with extremist groups, particularly the Taliban.”
Khan confirmed he was running to be Oxford’s new chancellor on August 25.
“Oxford University helped me a lot in my formative years,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“I am committed to giving back to the world the resilience, determination and integrity that life has taught me, even when the odds are stacked against me.”
The former Prime Minister and cricketer expressed a desire to ‘give back’ to the university he attended 50 years ago.
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Despite being imprisoned for over a year on corruption charges that he claims are politically driven, he intends to replace Tory peer Lord Patten, who is 80.
Khan previously suggested that the Taliban should have been allowed to establish an office in Pakistan, which sparked significant backlash.
He also reportedly referred to them as freedom fighters during the U.S. presence in Afghanistan.
The petition submitted to Oxford University alleged that the former cricketer supported Osama bin Laden.
It stated, “In a speech to Pakistan’s National Assembly, Mr. Khan controversially called Osama bin Laden a ‘shaheed’ (martyr), a term that honored his death rather than condemned his actions as a global terrorist.”
Additionally, the petition noted that “Mr. Khan made many statements criticized for promoting misogynistic views.”
The university confirmed that the shortlist of candidates for the chancellor position will be revealed in early October.
The election is scheduled for October 28, with 250,000 alumni and former staff eligible to vote online. The new chancellor will serve a ten-year term.
