RASC News Agency: The Guardian has published a critical article concerning the candidacy of Imran Khan for the position of Chancellor at Oxford University, arguing that his close ties and empathy towards the Taliban should disqualify him. The newspaper pointed out that Khan had previously congratulated the Taliban on their victory and rationalized the ban on Afghanistani girls’ education.
On Sunday, September 1, in response to Imran Khan’s nomination, The Guardian emphasized that the former Pakistani Prime Minister might not have fully considered the potential impact of his views on his candidacy for a prestigious academic role in the United Kingdom. The article highlighted that Khan once refrained from labeling Osama bin Laden as a terrorist, instead referring to him as a “martyr.” The author also noted that Khan had previously refused to tolerate the presence of Salman Rushdie, accusing him of “blasphemy.”
The article further elaborated on Khan’s controversial statements regarding women, where he suggested that women should not “tempt” men, as not all men possess the ability to control their desires. These remarks indicate that Khan aligns with the fundamentalist Islamic views on women’s rights. Earlier, on August 20, Zulfi Bukhari, a former advisor to the Pakistani Prime Minister, announced that Imran Khan had applied to run in the 2024 Oxford University Chancellor elections. Bukhari wrote on his X account: “In accordance with Imran Khan’s directives, his application for the 2024 Oxford University Chancellor election has been submitted. We eagerly await support from everyone for this historic campaign.”
The Oxford University Chancellor elections will commence online on October 28. The university has stated that the names of the candidates will not be revealed until the final shortlist is decided. It has been reported that both alumni and university staff will participate in the voting process. Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been in prison for nearly a year. He is a staunch supporter of the Taliban regime, having defended the Taliban in national and international forums. Moreover, he not only advocated for the Taliban’s cabinet but also justified the closure of schools and universities for Afghanistani girls as part of “Afghanistan culture.”
