Imran Khan ‘disqualified’ from Oxford’s chancellor contest?

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan — the most discussed personality ahead of Oxford University’s chancellor election — has not been named in the list of candidates to run for the varsity’s chancellor position.

Oxford University announced the official list of 38 candidates on Wednesday missing Imran Khan and that the first round of voting will start on October 28.

“In the first round of voting, voters will have the opportunity to rank as many candidates as they choose. The top 5 candidates will go on to a second round, to take place during the Week 6 of Michaelmas Term (week commencing 18 November),” the varsity’s statement added.

Former Prime Minister and Oxford University alumnus Khan had submitted his papers for the post and since then he has been in discussion as to whether to consider the imprisoned political figure for the Oxford Chancellorship.

The decision to drop the former prime minister from the election race came a day after a King’s Counsel at UK’s leading law firm Matrix Chambers opined that Khan is not eligible for Oxford Chancellorship as per the university’s regulations.

Hugh Southey, King’s Counsel at Matrix Chambers in London said, “In my opinion, Imran is unlikely to be eligible to be a candidate in light of one of his criminal convictions.”

The seat of chancellor of Oxford University became vacant following the resignation of Lord Patten, 80, the former governor of Hong Kong and Tory Party chairman, who held the post for 21 years.