LONDON: Oxford University student hailing from the Balochistan province of Pakistan, Israr Kakar, has won the Oxford Union Presidency, becoming the third Pakistani and the first from the remote province to achieve this honour.
Former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto was the first Pakistani to become Oxford Union President in 1977.
Israr comes from a small village in Qilla Abdullah district, near the Afghanistan border in the Balochistan province.
He completed primary education in his village and then studied in Abbottabad and Lahore for matriculation and intermediate studies.
Israr finished LLB honours from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland with a distinction. He did his Law from Lincoln’s Inn on a fully-funded scholarship.
He is enrolled currently in the DPhil programme at the Law Department of the University of Oxford. Israr is only the second of his siblings to go to the prestigious college. His elder brother also had a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford.
Speaking to a Pakistani Private TV Channel Israr said: “I am incredibly grateful to the members of the Oxford Union for placing their trust in me by electing me as President and to my team in believing in me. This election was crucial, especially during such challenging times.”
He noted that coming from a humble rural background and achieving such an honour will inspire the next generation of aspiring youth.
He added this is a platform where a lot can be done and he will not waste any moment. “It is a proud moment for Pakistan and my family back home in Balochistan,” said the bright student.
Earlier, Oxford Union’s official newspaper reported that Israr Khan had been elected Oxford Union President for Hilary Term 2024 with 617 first preferences against opponent Izzy Horrocks-Taylor who got 393 first preferences.
The Oxford Union, founded in 1823, stands as one of the UK’s oldest university unions and one of the world’s most prestigious societies.
Pakistan’s former prime minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, was the first Pakistani to become the President of Oxford Union in 1977. Ahmad Nawaz, a survivor of the deadly attack on APS School Peshawar, was the second Pakistani to serve as President of the Oxford Union.
