For the first time, Israr Kakar, a student hailing from Balochistan, has been selected as the president of Oxford University’s prestigious Oxford Union. He is the third Pakistani to be bestowed with this honour, the first person being Benazir Bhutto, the late politician and former Prime Minister of Pakistan. The second Pakistani to take on the position was Ahmed Nawaz, who had survived the deadly APS school attacks in Peshawar.
Israr was born in a family of 13 siblings who live in the Killa Abdullah district of Balochistan. He completed his primary education in Abbottabad and Lahore, before graduating with distinction in LLB from the University of Aberdeen, and then received his Bar from Licoln’s Inn on a fully funded scholarship. Currently, Kakar is enrolled at Oxford University under the DPhil (Doctor of Philosophy) program of the Law department.
Israr is the second student of his family to graduate university, his elder brother is currently a Rhodes Scholar at America.
Oxford Union’s official newspaper reported Kakar had received 617 preferences against his opponent Izzy Horrocks-Taylor, who had received 393.
Speaking in an interview with Geo News, Kakar thanked his Oxford Union peers for this support, and expressed his desire to see more students from humble backgrounds make their mark at the Union, and his commitment to making it a more inclusive and diverse space.
“Coming from a humble rural background and achieving such an honour will inspire the next generation of aspiring young people,” said Israr. “This is a platform where a lot can be done and I will not waste any moment. It is a proud moment for Pakistan and my family back home in Balochistan.
“There is a significant amount of work ahead, and I am committed to leading the Union on a more inclusive path and restoring its relevance.”
