LONDON: In a significant development in the academic and diplomatic arena, Pakistan has claimed an uncontested victory at the Oxford Union debate after the Indian delegation withdrew, according to the Pakistan High Commission.
As reported by Radio Pakistan, Pakistan’s team comprising former General Zubair Hayat, Hina Rabbani Khar, and Dr. Muhammad Faisal represented the country in London, where India’s delegation failed to appear at the scheduled time. Despite a strong presence of Indian students in the audience, the Indian team opted not to participate.
The High Commission pointed out that India chose to abstain from the debate rather than engage with Pakistan’s arguments, thereby revealing perceived weaknesses in its narrative on a prominent international platform like the Oxford Union. While Indian officials have been vocal on television, they reportedly hesitated to face direct questions in a formal debate setting.
Officials suggested that India’s decision to withdraw was a strategic move to avoid potential embarrassment, turning their absence into a symbolic act of evasion before the global audience. The High Commission viewed this outcome as a clear demonstration of Pakistan’s diplomatic and intellectual resilience on the international stage.
Pakistan Celebrates at Oxford
Meanwhile, on November 7, 2025, OxfordAQA one of the fastest-growing international examination boards—announced the winners of its esteemed 2025 Go Further Awards. These awards honor students who achieved top scores in their subjects at International GCSE, AS, and A-levels, recognizing outstanding academic excellence worldwide.
This year’s awards marked a notable increase in achievement, with an 18% rise in the number of student winners and a 40% growth in participating schools compared to 2024. The winners hailed from diverse nations, including Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Pakistan, Laos, and Japan, emphasizing the global expansion of the awards.
There was also a significant increase in winners from countries such as Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Taiwan, and Slovakia, underscoring the growing reach and impact of OxfordAQA’s recognition of academic excellence across the globe.
