UoA Graduate Elected President of the Oxford Union
By Mustafa Chughtai
Photograph: Israr Khan via X
Whilst pursuing a DPhil in the Law Department at the University of Oxford, Aberdeen alumnus Israr Khan was elected president of the Union on the 8th June, 2024, with 617 votes, beating out the closest opponent who received 393 votes.
The youngest of 13 siblings, Israr hails from the Qilla Abdullah district in Balochistan, a province of Pakistan. Upon completing his primary education in his village, Israr proceeded to study in Abbottabad, and Lahore for his matriculation studies before moving to the United States for his high school diploma.
His move to Scotland was motivated by higher education, enrolling at the University of Aberdeen for an LLB with English Law degree.
Israr graduated from the School of Law at the University of Aberdeen in 2020 with a First Class Honours degree before pursuing his Bar at Law from Lincoln’s Inn on a fully-funded scholarship.
Israr was also enthusiastically involved in student life during his studies at the University. Apart from being employed at the University in his role as a Student Ambassador, he was also founder of the Aberdeen Student Parliament.
Israr was keen on maintaining his connection with his Pakistani roots, and fulfilled this by being an active member of the Cricket Society as well as the Pakistan Society on campus. Upon participating in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in 2020, he was the recipient of the Best Memorial of the Jessup Moot Court (UK rounds) award. Moreover, he was a finalist in the UK One to Watch Award in 2018.
This important election marks a new first: Oxford Union’s four student officer positions will all be from BAME backgrounds.
“No journey is possible without the prayers and support of parents and family’, says Israr, thanking his family on X, further adding that while his father “doesn’t fully understand the significance of what the Presidency means, his unwavering prayers and support have been my cornerstone.”
Best of luck to Israr in his future endeavours!
