Imran Khan has fought many political battles but now, from his 7x8ft prison cell, the former Pakistani prime minister has pledged to champion free speech in higher education if elected as Oxford University’s next chancellor.

In an interview conducted through his lawyers (because Khan isn’t allowed pen and paper) he said: “Symbols matter and, as chancellor, I would fully embrace the opportunity to be a figurehead advocating for the values that Oxford stands for.

“I would use my platform to advocate fiercely for academic freedom, ensuring that Oxford remains a sanctuary for open debate, free from external pressures that may stifle the pursuit of truth. In today’s polarised world the ability to explore and challenge ideas without fear is more critical than ever. I would use my platform to reinforce Oxford’s commitment to intellectual diversity and the protection of free thought across all disciplines.”

The former cricket star has been in solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison for just over a year, convicted on charges he claims are politically motivated. Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, continues to be a significant force in the country’s political arena.

His imprisonment has sparked protests and kept him prominently in the public eye, with many of his supporters viewing him as a political martyr.

Sayed Zulfi Bukhari, an adviser to Khan, said that he submitted his application for the university position after an extended deadline necessitated by his incarceration. Khan is contesting the election for Lord Patten of Barnes’s successor as ceremonial head of the university.

The election for the position will take place on October 28, allowing more than 250,000 alumni and former staff members to cast their votes online. The successful candidate will serve a ten-year term as the university’s titular head, supporting Professor Irene Tracey, the vice-chancellor.

Khan’s decision to apply for the role was straightforward: he aims to “give back” to the university which played a pivotal role in shaping his leadership skills.

The 71-year-old, born in Lahore, gained prominence as the captain of the Pakistan national cricket team during the 1980s and early 1990s. He is an honorary fellow at Keble College, Oxford, where he read philosophy, politics and economics before graduating in 1975.