In a historic achievement, Pakistani MPhil Economics student Moosa Harraj has been elected President of the Oxford Union for the Michaelmas Term 2025. Moosa’s victory marks a significant milestone as he becomes the first Pakistani-origin president from Punjab to lead the prestigious debating society.
Hailing from an influential political family in Khanewal, Punjab, Moosa is the son of former federal minister Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj. His election makes him the fourth Pakistani to hold the esteemed position, following in the footsteps of Benazir Bhutto, Ahmad Nawaz, and Israr Khan.
The election was highly competitive, with Moosa securing a decisive 200-vote victory over his opponent, Chris Collins. He garnered 833 first-preference votes—one of the highest vote counts in recent years. His entire team, running under the ‘Bridge’ slate, also secured key positions, with Raza Nazar elected as Treasurer, Katherine Yang as Librarian, and Jennifer Yang as Secretary.
Moosa’s academic journey began at Aitchison College, Lahore, before he moved to Charterhouse School in Surrey. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the London School of Economics (LSE) and Harvard University before joining Balliol College, Oxford, in 2023 for his MPhil in Economics.
Expressing gratitude for his victory, Moosa said:
“It is a pleasure of a lifetime to have been elected as President of the Oxford Union. I want to thank first and foremost Allah Almighty for this achievement. It’s a privilege to have the members place their trust in me. I hope this can show every single student from not only Pakistan but all of South Asia that they too can dream big!”
Moosa Harraj’s election is being celebrated as a major milestone for Pakistani representation on global academic platforms, inspiring students from South Asia and beyond to aim for leadership roles in prestigious institutions worldwide.
