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Pakistan offers Bangladesh Karachi Port access to boost regional trade

In a landmark proposal during renewed talks in Dhaka, Pakistan invited Bangladesh to use Karachi Port for exports, seeking to revive dormant economic links and open alternative routes to China and the Gulf as regional alliances shift.

US seeks broader strategic partnership with Pakistan, says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signalled a broader strategic relationship with Pakistan, expanding cooperation beyond counterterrorism into trade, economic growth and regional stability.

امریکہ پاکستان کے ساتھ اسٹریٹجک تعلقات میں وسعت چاہتا ہے، امریکی وزیرخارجہ مارکو روبیو

امریکی وزیر خارجہ مارکو روبیو کا کہنا ہے کہ واشنگٹن پاکستان کے ساتھ اسٹریٹجک تعلقات کو مزید وسعت دینا چاہتا ہے۔ تعاون کو انسدادِ دہشت گردی سے آگے بڑھا کر تجارت، معیشت اور علاقائی استحکام تک لے جانا امریکی ترجیحات میں شامل ہے۔

Pakistan’s Top General Makes First Bangladesh Visit in 54 Years as Regional Ties Shift

Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee met Bangladesh’s chief adviser in Dhaka to discuss stronger economic and defence cooperation while highlighting regional security concerns. The visit is being viewed as a significant diplomatic step after more than five decades without a high-level military delegation.

پاکستان اور بنگلہ دیش کے تعلقات میں اہم پیش رفت، جنرل ساحر شمشاد مرزا کی چیف ایڈوائزر پروفیسر محمد یونس سے ملاقات

پاکستانی اعلیٰ عسکری قیادت کا 54 برس بعد بنگلہ دیش کا دورہ، چیئرمین جوائنٹ چیفس آف اسٹاف جنرل ساحر شمشاد مرزا کی ڈھاکہ میں چیف ایڈوائزر پروفیسر محمد یونس سے ملاقات۔ دفاعی، تجارتی اور علاقائی تعاون پر اہم گفتگو۔
Op-EdEnglishWhy Imran Khan must become the chancellor of Oxford University
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Why Imran Khan must become the chancellor of Oxford University

Imran Khan’s bid to become Oxford University's Chancellor while imprisoned symbolises resilience and leadership, offering the institution a global icon committed to justice and education, though critics argue his legal troubles complicate his chances, writes political theorist Gavin Mercer

Gavin Mercer
Gavin Mercer
Gavin Mercer is a distinguished academic with an MSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Glasgow, specialising in democratic governance, political ethics, and the philosophy of power. His research delves into the dynamics of political authority in the digital age, with a focus on how technology influences governance and public accountability.
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IMRAN KHAN, THE FORMER Prime Minister of Pakistan and celebrated cricket legend, is making an unexpected bid for the position of Chancellor at Oxford University. Despite being imprisoned in Pakistan on politically charged allegations, Khan’s candidacy has captured the world’s attention. His bid is not just about becoming a ceremonial figurehead at his alma mater but carries a symbolic weight that reflects on both his storied personal journey and the larger context of global justice and leadership.

Khan’s connection to Oxford runs deep. A graduate in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) from Keble College in 1975, he captained the university’s cricket team, a foreshadowing of the fame and influence he would later achieve on the world stage. His time at Oxford was foundational in shaping his leadership ideals, which he has carried through his roles in philanthropy, sports, and politics. This profound connection to the university is one of the reasons his supporters argue that Khan is an ideal candidate for the role of Chancellor, a largely ceremonial but prestigious position that would allow him to advocate for education and global issues.

Khan’s leadership extends far beyond the walls of Oxford. His tenure as the Chancellor of the University of Bradford from 2005 to 2014 was marked by advocacy for education reform, and his broader commitment to building institutions like Namal University in Pakistan further underscores his belief in education as a tool for societal change. His global stature, enhanced by his time as Pakistan’s Prime Minister and his philanthropy, positions him as a compelling candidate for Oxford’s chancellorship, offering the university a figure with international gravitas and vision.

However, Khan’s candidacy is also mired in controversy, stemming from his current imprisonment in Pakistan. His critics argue that his candidacy is a distraction from his legal troubles and political battles, which include accusations of leaking state secrets. Some even suggest that his campaign is more about generating international attention for his plight than serving the university. Despite these concerns, Khan’s supporters maintain that his imprisonment only enhances the significance of his candidacy. For them, his bid represents a powerful symbol of resistance, freedom of thought, and the ongoing fight for justice.

If elected, Khan’s chancellorship would offer Oxford the opportunity to embrace a leader who has navigated some of the most complex issues of our time, from philanthropy to political resistance. His story resonates globally, particularly in the developing world, where his advocacy for justice, democracy, and education has inspired millions. His election would send a strong message about the role of universities in supporting freedom of thought, global leadership, and justice in the face of adversity.

Khan’s rivals for the position are no less formidable. Figures like former UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and Labour peer Peter Mandelson are entrenched in British political circles, raising questions about Khan’s chances in the election. Yet, Khan’s candidacy is not just about British politics—it is about the global leadership role Oxford University can play by electing a figure who has stood for justice on the world stage.

Khan’s candidacy also reflects broader changes in how universities are expected to engage with the world. As institutions of higher education are increasingly called upon to address global challenges like inequality, climate change, and political unrest, Khan’s vision for Oxford could help steer the university towards a more engaged, globally-minded future. His leadership experience, particularly in navigating difficult political landscapes, offers a valuable perspective on the role universities can play in shaping public discourse and policy.

Furthermore, Khan’s campaign highlights the evolving role of Oxford’s chancellorship. While the position has historically been largely ceremonial, Khan’s candidacy brings with it the potential to redefine the role. His election would likely attract global attention, providing Oxford with a unique platform to engage with pressing global issues, from educational reform to political justice. It would also symbolise the university’s commitment to fostering leaders who, like Khan, have the courage to stand up for justice and integrity even in the most challenging circumstances.

Ultimately, the case for an incarcerated Imran Khan to become the Chancellor of Oxford University is about more than his personal qualifications. It is a statement about the role of education in addressing global challenges, about the power of resilience in the face of political adversity, and about Oxford’s place in the world as a defender of freedom and justice. Whether Khan wins or not, his candidacy has already sparked a conversation about what it means to lead in the 21st century.

In electing Khan, Oxford would be sending a message that transcends the political divisions of the moment. It would be affirming the values of resilience, integrity, and global leadership in the face of adversity—values that Khan, despite his current circumstances, has embodied throughout his life.

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ریاست اور انتہا پسندی کی جنگ: سب سے پہلے پاکستان

پاکستان اس وقت ایک نازک موڑ پر ہے جہاں مذہبی سیاست اور مسلح انتہا پسندی دونوں ریاستی استحکام کے لیے خطرہ بن چکی ہیں۔ ٹی ایل پی سڑکوں پر انتشار پھیلا رہی ہے اور ٹی ٹی پی بندوق کے زور پر ریاستی رٹ کو چیلنج کر رہی ہے۔ دونوں کا مقصد مختلف مگر نتیجہ ایک ہے پاکستان کی کمزوری۔ اب وقت ہے کہ ریاست ایک ہی معیار اپنائے اور "سب سے پہلے پاکستان" کو نعرے سے بڑھا کر قومی پالیسی بنائے۔

ریاست اور انتہا پسندی کی جنگ: سب سے پہلے پاکستان

پاکستان اس وقت ایک نازک موڑ پر ہے جہاں مذہبی سیاست اور مسلح انتہا پسندی دونوں ریاستی استحکام کے لیے خطرہ بن چکی ہیں۔ ٹی ایل پی سڑکوں پر انتشار پھیلا رہی ہے اور ٹی ٹی پی بندوق کے زور پر ریاستی رٹ کو چیلنج کر رہی ہے۔ دونوں کا مقصد مختلف مگر نتیجہ ایک ہے پاکستان کی کمزوری۔ اب وقت ہے کہ ریاست ایک ہی معیار اپنائے اور "سب سے پہلے پاکستان" کو نعرے سے بڑھا کر قومی پالیسی بنائے۔

جب ہزیمت کو لفظوں کا تاج پہنایا جائے

بھارتی ائیر چیف کا نیا اور حقائق کے برعکس دعویٰ محض سیاسی بیانیہ گھڑنے کی کوشش لگتا ہے۔ تین ماہ کی خاموشی کے بعد ثبوتوں کے بغیر یہ بیان خارجہ سطح پر ناکامیوں اور اندرونی دباؤ سے فرار کا راستہ ہے، یہ وہی ہتھکنڈے ہیں جو بھارت 2019 میں بھی آزما کر ناکام ہو چکا ہے۔

Pakistan offers Bangladesh Karachi Port access to boost regional trade

In a landmark proposal during renewed talks in Dhaka, Pakistan invited Bangladesh to use Karachi Port for exports, seeking to revive dormant economic links and open alternative routes to China and the Gulf as regional alliances shift.

US seeks broader strategic partnership with Pakistan, says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signalled a broader strategic relationship with Pakistan, expanding cooperation beyond counterterrorism into trade, economic growth and regional stability.

امریکہ پاکستان کے ساتھ اسٹریٹجک تعلقات میں وسعت چاہتا ہے، امریکی وزیرخارجہ مارکو روبیو

امریکی وزیر خارجہ مارکو روبیو کا کہنا ہے کہ واشنگٹن پاکستان کے ساتھ اسٹریٹجک تعلقات کو مزید وسعت دینا چاہتا ہے۔ تعاون کو انسدادِ دہشت گردی سے آگے بڑھا کر تجارت، معیشت اور علاقائی استحکام تک لے جانا امریکی ترجیحات میں شامل ہے۔
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