The University of Oxford has been told that former prime minister Imran Khan is trying to run for the institution’s Chancellor post to advance his personal and political goals and doesn’t have the University’s welfare at heart.
In a new petition, PMLN UK activist Khurram Butt has told the university that Imran Khan wants to score political points by running a media campaign around the Chancellor’s election in a month’s time and will never serve the interests of the university.
Khurram Butt announced on Tuesday that he had visited the University for leafleting and to submit a new petition with new evidence, requesting the university to not let itself become embroiled in politics and controversy.
The petition highlighted the UK National Crime Agency's (NCA) £190 million case and alleged that Khan was involved in corruption both in Pakistan and the UK.
The petition to the university said: “We believe that Mr. Khan’s candidacy is incompatible with the values and principles that guide this prestigious institution. The concerns regarding Mr. Khan’s candidacy is rooted in a series of controversies and allegations that raise serious ethical and moral questions about his suitability for the role.”
The petition said: “Mr. Imran Khan has been involved in multiple instances of corruption during his political career, including his conviction for misappropriating state gifts. In one prominent case, a set of gifts valued at over $5 million, gifted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was sold in the UAE grey market by Mr. Khan’s team after he paid a mere $100,000 for it. This and other investigations revealed that Mr. Khan had repeatedly acquired state gifts at minimal costs, profiting greatly from their resale.”
The petition said: “Mr. Khan’s involvement in the £190 million settlement between the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Pakistani tycoon Malik Riaz raises further concerns. The NCA directed that the sum be returned to the state of Pakistan; however, Mr. Khan’s administration reversed this decision and returned the funds to Mr. Riaz. In return, Mr. Khan allegedly received substantial personal benefits, including land and financial gifts, under the guise of the Al Qadir Trust case. Imran Khan’s plea seeking acquittal in the £190m Nation Crime Agency case has been rejected by Pakistani courts, signalling that there is evidence pointing to his involvement in the scandal.”
The petition mentioned the Financial Times article of last year. It said: “There have been reports, including one by the Financial Times, of illegal funding Mr. Khan’s political campaigns received from discredited individuals like Ariq Naqvi. Naqvi, who funded Mr. Khan through the Wootton Cricket Club, has been involved in significant financial scandals, further damaging Mr. Khan’s global reputation. Funds in the tune of millions of dollars were surreptitiously sent to Imran Khan’s party by Arif Naqvi. According to the law of Pakistan, political parties are restricted from obtaining funding from foreign sources.”
The petition said that Mr. Khan’s public statements have been criticised worldwide for their insensitivity and lack of understanding, especially concerning rape. It mentioned Khan’s “men are not robots” statement, suggesting that women’s clothing is responsible for sexual assaults. “Such remarks have incited global outrage, portraying Mr. Khan as a rape apologist and an incorrigible misogynist.”
The petition said: “Mr. Khan has publicly defended and praised the Taliban. After the fall of Kabul, he commented that Afghanistan had ‘broken the shackles of slavery’, which was perceived as an endorsement of the Taliban’s oppressive regime. Such statements reflect a deeply problematic worldview that is incompatible with the values of an institution that promotes education, critical thinking, and human rights.”
In a video statement released from outside the Oxford University, Khurram Butt said that “Imran Khan resigned from his position as Chancellor of Bradford University after students threatened to bring a Vote of No Confidence against him due to his unavailability for university matters. This was in 2014 when Imran Khan’s political career was still developing but now, Imran Khan’s public engagements have increased several folds, which clearly shows that this attempt to become Chancellor of Oxford University is a bid to seek attention and play politics on this campaign”.
Khurram Butt said he had told the university that Mr. Khan is under investigation in Pakistan, facing multiple charges and remains in custody. “The gravity of the accusations and the legal proceedings against him cast a shadow over his credibility and suitability to hold a prominent position like Chancellor of Oxford University. Given these factors, it is clear that Mr. Khan’s actions, associations, and public statements contradict the values upheld by Oxford University. His candidacy risks undermining the integrity and reputation of the institution, and appointing him as Chancellor would be seen by many as a validation of corruption, misogyny, and problematic ideologies.”
The petition added: “Several other members of Imran Khan’s family have also been investigated for corrupt practices including his wife Bushra Imran, sister Dr Uzma Khan and brother-in-law Ahad Majeed. Imran Khan and his family have also been investigated for misappropriation of donations given to Shaukat Khanum. Shaukat Khanum’s management has acknowledged that under Imran Khan’s leadership, the institution made speculative investments on property in the UAE using donations given to Shaukat Khanum. The scandal was revealed after only a pittance of the donations were left after heavy losses. Mr Khan is already in prison and may be sentenced for upwards of 14 years in several cases which will make it impossible for him to fulfil his obligations as Chancellor of Oxford University.”
The petition concluded: “We, therefore, urge the Election Committee to seriously reconsider his candidacy and withdraw his name from consideration for the role of Chancellor. Oxford University has always stood for academic excellence, integrity, and progressive values, and we believe Mr. Khan does not embody these ideals.”
