ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday appointed Israr Khan Kakar, the President of the Oxford Union, as ambassador-at-large for Youth Empowerment, a notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his pleasure in appointing Kakar, a distinguished Oxford University student from Balochistan. Kakar recently achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first student from Balochistan and the fourth Pakistani ever to hold the prestigious Oxford Union Presidency.
As an ambassador-at-large, Kakar will represent Pakistan and its interests internationally, across various jurisdictions.
Kakar, originally from a small village in Killa Abdullah district near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, has risen from a remote area to achieve one of Oxford’s highest leadership positions, reflecting his remarkable determination and talent.
Prime Minister Sharif welcomed Kakar to the PM House, praising his achievement and highlighting its significance for Pakistan. “Talented youth like Israr Kakar are the guarantors of Pakistan’s sustainable and bright future,” the Prime Minister stated.
Kakar’s journey to becoming Oxford Union President is particularly inspiring. He is the fourth Pakistani and the first from Balochistan to hold this role, following in the footsteps of Benazir Bhutto, who was the first Pakistani to become Oxford Union President in 1977.
Kakar, the youngest of 13 siblings, completed his primary education in his village before continuing his studies in Abbottabad, Lahore, and the United States.
He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with distinction from the University of Aberdeen and later pursued a Bar at Law from Lincoln’s Inn on a fully-funded scholarship. Currently, he is enrolled in the DPhil programme at the University of Oxford’s Law Department.
As only the second sibling in his family to attend college, following his elder brother who was also a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, Kakar’s achievements are a testament to his perseverance.
