What’s Pakistani politics if you don’t have the odd few politicians jumping down each other’s throats? There’s almost always some form of a political debate spurring on social media, and it’s almost always entertaining when you get various opposing camps ready to gnaw one another, stripped to the bone. In this case, particularly, it’s Imran Khan’s former education.
A twitter user @Khalid_Munir posted an alleged University of Oxford degree certificate of Imran Khan
It states that the politician passed with Third class honors, which is the lowest British honors classification in U.K. universities, ranking last after First-class honor, Upper second-class honors and lower second-class honors classifications.
Imran Khan passed in Third class from Oxford? pic.twitter.com/MLCEiDLWQ2
— Khalid Munir (@Khalid_Munir) December 30, 2017
Ahsan Iqbal swiftly took to the tweet and gave a subtle dig to Imran Khan
Ahsan Iqbal tagged renowned journalist Omar Quraishi as he questioned whether or not someone with third-class honors is eligible for a job in the U.K.
@omar_quraishi Can a third divisioner get any job in UK?IK always says ke maghribi jamhoriat mein aese hota hei waise hota hei
— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) December 30, 2017
Twitter users immediately started trolling Ahsan Iqbal, questioning his own qualification status
What's qualification of Nawaz and Shahbaz and even you?
3rd grade brought ups
— Hassan Khan (@hassan_k82) December 30, 2017
With others disappointed at Ahsan Iqbal’s unfortunate dig
I always thought of you as a decent, competent and serious man. you are nothing more than a bhaand at the level of Abid Sher Ali. Last fews months have been eye opening
— SKA (@sachkitalaash) December 30, 2017
Pakistanis stated how a third class degree fares better than corruption
An Interior minister showing his class while his identity is only because of Sharifs slavery , A Third class degree holder did whats PHD’s & low calibre leaders & intellectuals could not did in 67 years #Begharat
— Asif aziz (@SoulessInsafian) December 30, 2017
And defended the stature of getting the degree from the prestigious Oxford University
Third division from Oxford > 1st division from any local university. Moreover, degree is just a piece of paper. In the professional world, hardwork, skills and luck play huge role.
— UBD (@UBD_26) December 30, 2017
Third divisioner is million times better than your and your master's third class mindset.
— Enkidu (@Fallibilist1) December 30, 2017
Acclaimed journalists also chipped in to defend the critique against Imran’s qualification
That's quite classy, actually. And in good company. Others who got Thirds from Oxford studying PPE: Christopher Hitchens, Tariq Ali, David Dimbleby
— Omar Waraich (@OmarWaraich) December 30, 2017
Many thought to back up their facts with evidence, screenshotting good ol’ Google
Third or fourth the fact remains he went to Oxford uni and obtained a degree from there. Here is what google says about him. ‘Notable’. pic.twitter.com/opUXFpGymf
— AgainstAllOdds (@MaonBillii) December 30, 2017
This is for you Mr.Patwari #iqama holder
Search in Google, you will find a lot of information.#ImranKhan was Chancellor of the University of Bradford
Check ?????? look ? the awards and honors pic.twitter.com/DehHFVO7HS— ?? مــهــــــندس?⚙️ (@engrfjan) December 30, 2017
A few stated that Imran Khan was a sportsman, with education being a close secondary
he was a sportsman and never claimed that he was a honor student so what is your point?
— NeelKhan (@Neelkhan0209) December 30, 2017
And that the cricketer-turned-politician was actually accepted into Oxford University based on his exceptional skills in sport
He got entry to Oxford on sports. Wasn't a very bright student otherwise. Can't you say this seeing him now? 😉 https://t.co/IUQ5d6T930
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) December 30, 2017
After all, it was cricket that drove his passion
There are many famous ppl who dropped out from universities because of their other interests but IK able to complete its degree and also was top star in sports.
— Viper (@ViperPTI) December 30, 2017
Others playfully suggested how this degree was at least ‘genuine,’ as compared to our societal qualifications that are often bought
At least he has a genuine degree. 🙂
— Rescue Ranger ⛑️ (@datam1ner) December 30, 2017
…
At least he went to Oxford on merit and halal money funded him unlike the kids of mafia parties in Pakistan who live on stolen money from poor people of Pakistan
— BeefSteak (@CodPak2) December 30, 2017
What are your thoughts on Imran’s qualifications? Do you agree with Ahsan Iqbal’s comment?