A group of former international cricket captains has appealed to the Pakistan government over the treatment of Imran Khan. They have asked that he be given proper medical care and treated with dignity in custody.
The joint statement was issued on 17th February. The former captains said they were deeply concerned about reports of a sharp deterioration in Khan’s eyesight. They also raised concerns about the conditions of his detention over the past two and a half years.
The signatories include Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Stephen Waugh and John Wright.
In the statement, they described Khan as a legendary cricketer and former Pakistan captain. They recalled his leadership in Pakistan’s 1992 Cricket World Cup triumph. They said he inspired generations with his all-round brilliance and competitive spirit.
They also referred to his tenure as Pakistan’s democratically elected Prime Minister. They stressed that political differences must not affect humane treatment. They called for immediate and ongoing medical care from qualified specialists. They also demanded humane prison conditions, regular family visits and fair access to legal proceedings without delay.
The appeal came days after Khan was examined on 15th February by a team of doctors following complaints of severe vision loss in his right eye. The Supreme Court had ordered a detailed medical check-up before 16th February. Instead of being shifted to a hospital, doctors visited him at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
A lawyer from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, who met Khan on court directions to assess his living conditions, said Khan claimed he had lost around 85 percent vision in his right eye. Last month, he was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad for an eye procedure. His party said the examination was unacceptable without the presence of family members, personal doctors and party representatives.
Khan served as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. He has been imprisoned since August 2023. He faces multiple cases, which he has described as politically motivated.
Earlier, former teammate Wasim Akram also urged authorities to ensure that Khan receives the best possible medical care. He said it was heartbreaking to hear about his health concerns.
