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No.930 Friday 24th January 2025 varsity.co.uk The Independent Student Newspaper since 1947
Uni ‘fails to address’ ‘state-sponsored’ death threats
Charlie Rowan Deputy News Editor A Cambridge PhD student and campaigner has accused the University of failing to take adequate action to protect him from the Pakistani secret service, who he alleges have threatened him over his criticism of “human rights abuses”. Roshaan Khattak was sent a message on X by a newly-created account on 21 December which contained threats against him and his family. Sent from a profile named ‘Ali Ahmed,’ it read: “You should know that staying away from criticising our military in foreign parliaments, online seminars, international platforms, and UN would ensure the safety of your family.” “Have mercy on them. Your cousin can only be released then. Hope you will consider. Don’t forget even Cambridge and UK is not safe. For them they can get anywhere, Sweden, Germany, Canada… Don’t be stupid,” the message continued. Khattak claims the message was sent by an agent of the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), telling Varsity: “The account’s behaviour and content reflect a pattern consistent with ISI tactics rather than that of an overly zealous supporter.” “The specific threats, their timing, and the calculated methods – including indirect warnings via my contacts in Pakistan – mirror the strategies the ISI employs to intimidate and silence critics abroad,” he continued. Khattak reported the message to the police, but was told: “the perceived threat is not enough to raise a crime of malicious communications.” He has also accused the University of “not taking the threat seriously”. Khattak said his College’s adminis-
tration “declined” to meet him “despite receiving over 15 requests. On four occasions, they initially agreed to a meeting but cancelled at the last minute.” “I don’t believe the College is taking the threat seriously. I think they are being negligent even after human rights organisations have written to them about the severity of the threat.” A spokesperson for the College said: “The College is and has been taking all steps toward resolving the situation, including ongoing conversation with the student.” Upon hearing this response, Khattak claimed that the College has “completely stopped responding to my emails and concerns.” He believes that the police’s unwillingness to act is a result of his College “trying to downplay the threat to the police to cover up their own negligence”. In an open letter to vice-chancellor Deborah Prentice, students expressed “deep concern over the lack of action” on the issue calling on the University to act quickly to “ensure his safety and set a precedent of standing firmly against such oppressive practices.” In late November, Khattak had arranged an online solidarity conference over the “enforced disappearance” of his cousin, Idris Khattak, in Pakistan. Idris Khattak, a former researcher with Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for “espionage” by a military court in Pakistan in 2021. The UN special rapporteur has called for his release. “After the conference, a friend in Pakistan was asked to deliver a chilling message for me to ‘shut up or face risks’,” Roshaan Khattak said. Continued on page 3 ▶
● College accused of ‘being negligent’ ● Student believes messages came from military ● Open letter calls for ‘immediate action’
Uni cracks down on AI
45% of students drink regularly
There have been three Varsity investigates cases of AI academic Cantabs’ drinking misconduct habits ▲ ROSHAAN KHATTAK
News Page 7 ▶
Investigations Page 9 ▶
Inside ● Meet the students volunteering in Calais pg. 14 ● A window into collegiate souls pg.21 ● Varsity’s Lent Term mixtape pg.26 ●