Jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been disqualified from becoming the next Chancellor of Oxford University.
Khan had submitted his candidacy for the position from his prison cell at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, reported The Independent.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2018 through 2022, Kahn was ousted from office following a no-confidence vote in Pakistan’s National Assembly.
He was arrested in August 2023 following a court ruling in the Toshakhana corruption case. The case revolved around allegations that Khan failed to properly disclose gifts received during his tenure as Prime Minister. These gifts, which were from foreign dignitaries, were reportedly sold by Khan without following legal procedures for declaring or retaining such items.
Earlier this year, Khan was sentenced to 10 years in prison for leaking state secrets. The charges stemmed from allegations that he made public a confidential diplomatic cable, known as the "cipher," which reportedly discussed U.S. involvement in his removal from office, reported Voice of America.
Just this month, Khan was charged with attempted murder following the death of a police officer, Abdul Hameed, during protests led by Khan's supporters, reported Radio Free Europe.
The protests were in response to calls for Khan’s release from prison, where he has been held since 2023. The authorities allege that Khan incited his followers to engage in violent actions, which led to clashes with law enforcement. Officer Hameed was critically injured during these confrontations and later died from his injuries.
“In my opinion, Mr. Khan is unlikely to be eligible to be a candidate in light of one of his criminal convictions,” said Hugh Southey, King’s Counsel at London law firm Matrix Chambers, in a legal opinion published by the firm.
Southey specializes in public law, human rights law, and extradition law, and has argued cases in various UK courts, including the Supreme Court. He was called to the Bar in 1995 and took silk (became a QC, now KC) in 2010.
He writes in his opinion that he had been asked to “express an opinion” on whether “Khan's political activities in Pakistan mean he is a 'declared candidate' within the terms of Oxford's Council Regulations 8of 202 (regulations 8),” whether Kahn’s “criminal convictions come within the scope of regulation 7(d) of regulations 8 (a regulation that potentially disqualifies a person from being a candidate for Chancellor of Oxford),” and whether Kahn “isi disqualified from being a candidate for Chancellor of Oxford.”
Under Section 178 of the Charities Act (2011), said the legal opinion, any person convicted of a crime involving dishonesty or deception is disqualified from serving as a charity trustee. Since the Chancellor position is bound by similar rules, Khan’s conviction for dishonesty under this act disqualifies him from candidacy.
A convocation of Oxford University alumni will hold the election for chancellor on Oct. 28. Christopher Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, who had served as chancellor since 2003, announced his retirement in February 2024.
The chancellor of University of Bradford from 2005-2014, Khan was captain of the Pakistan national cricket team from 1982 to 1992, leading the team to its first Cricket World Cup victory in 1992.
Khan’s disqualification from the Oxford Chancellorship election was confirmed Wednesday by the Oxford Mail.
“Oxford University has disqualified Imran Khan from the contest to become the new chancellor,” reported Mail reporter Edward Burnett. “The former Pakistani prime minister was reportedly running for the role from his prison cell in Pakistan.”
“Khan, a controversial politician and cricket star, attempted to enter the contest despite serving a 10-year jail sentence,” Burnett reported.
The university confirmed Wednesday that a final list of 38 candidates for the chancellorship have been selected, reported the Oxford Mail, a list that includes former Conservative Party leader William Hague and former Labour politician Peter Mandelson.