Imran Khan’s nomination for Oxford University Chancellor questioned by UK media

As jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan seeks appointment to the ceremonial post of Chancellor of Oxford University, Britain’s leading newspaper The Guardian has strongly opposed the potential bid and branded Imran Khan a ‘friend of the Taliban’ and a ‘supporter’ of former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Writing columnist Catherine Bennett says: ‘The news that Jemima Khan’s ex-husband Imran Khan has applied for the post of Chancellor of Oxford University will have caused consternation in some quarters, not all of them, like Mr Khan’s, in foreign prison cells.’

Suppose the only reason you decided not to apply for the post of Chancellor of Oxford University was that, like Mr Khan, you once refused to tolerate the presence of Salman Rushdie and perhaps even called him a ‘blasphemer’, as Mr Khan did. Possibly you thought that in a place like Oxford, there was bound to be a voter who would hold it against you.

Or possibly, like Khan, you congratulated the Taliban – without ever considering the possible impact on an academic career in the UK – for ‘breaking the chains of slavery’. And like him, you excused the Taliban’s ban on educating women. You still share Khan’s stated belief on rape, that women should eliminate ‘temptation’, because ‘not everyone has the will’.

Opinions such as these, though widely held, have probably deprived the Oxford contest of countless male candidates. Aggressive supporters of popular sportsman Andrew Tate, Khan’s companion, must resent worrying, for example, about his ‘if you put yourself in a position to be raped, you have to bear [sic] some responsibility’.

The term of office is ten years. Kahn is a few months removed from his latest 14-year prison sentence (apparently imposed, according to his allies, for political reasons) and the Oxford job involves, in addition to administrative duties, presiding over ‘several key ceremonies’. The position of Oxford involves, in addition to administrative duties, presiding over ‘several key ceremonies’, which is not onerous, but does involve ceremonial robes, performances and speeches. ‘The Chancellor has to be easily accessible and available all year round. I don’t suppose dignitaries can hold up a picture of Khan or a symbolic cricket bat.

If  Imran Khan wins October’s online vote for Oxford University’s chancellor, he will represent the university’s values amid ongoing debates about free speech on campus. Critics, including journalist Peter Oborne, argue that Mr Khan’s candidacy could harm the interests of female students and reflect poorly on British values. He has earlier spoken out in favour of the achievements of the Chinese Communist Party, raising concerns about his ability to carry out his duties in the face of the party’s crackdown on free speech.

However, despite his statements in favour of diversity and inclusion, many believe he should withdraw his candidacy to avoid prolonging the male-dominated leadership of Oxford.