ISLAMABAD – A historic event took place this week as the first Baloch student and the third Pakistani was elected the head of the Oxford Union, one of the world’s most prestigious debating societies.
The Oxford Union, established in 1823, is known for hosting famous individuals from politics, academia, and popular culture. It is an independent, student-led society mainly made up of members from the University of Oxford. Members can meet influential people and engage in debates and discussions.
Israr Khan, from the southwestern Balochistan province of Pakistan, was elected as the president of the Union on Saturday. He won with 617 votes, significantly more than his opponent, Izzy Horrocks-Taylor, who received 393 votes. Khan comes from Killa Abdullah city in Balochistan.
“Coming from a remote village on the Pakistan-Afghan border in Balochistan, this is beyond what I ever imagined,” Khan wrote on social media platform X. “I am incredibly grateful to the members of the Oxford Union for their trust in electing me as President, and to my team for believing in me.”
Khan is pursuing a DPhil in Law at Regent’s Park College and has previously served as the Union’s Chief of Staff. According to Oxford University’s student newspaper, Khan focused his campaign on fighting the Union’s “institutional racism,” while Horrocks-Taylor aimed to increase “female representation on committees and in our term card.”
Khan is the third Pakistani to be elected as head of the prestigious debating union, following former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and student Ahmad Nawaz.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti congratulated Khan on X, calling it a proud moment for Balochistan and Pakistan. He wrote, “Following in the footsteps of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, @IkIsrar has won the @OxfordUnion Presidency. More power to you, Israr!”
Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir also shared a picture with Khan on X, noting that Khan is the first student from Balochistan and the third from Pakistan to be elected as President of the Oxford Union.