Former cricket captains appeal Pakistan govt over Khan care

More than a dozen former international cricket captains, including India’s Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, rallied on Tuesday for jailed ex-premier Imran Khan, appealing the federal government to give him “adequate” medical treatment.

The statement, signed by 14 captains and seen by AFP, demands the proper care of Imran, a former World Cup-winning captain who according to Barrister Salman Safdar has lost most of the vision in his right eye.

Imran has been in jail since 2023 and was sentenced late last year along with his wife to 17 years on corruption charges they both deny.

His lawyer visited him in jail last week and later submitted a report to the chief justice of Pakistan and the Supreme Court detailing his concerns and requesting treatment for his client.

The statement signed by the former cricket skippers “respectfully” urges Pakistan “to ensure that Imran Khan receives immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing”.

The campaign is led by former Australian captain and contemporary of Imran, Greg Chappell.

“Khan deserves fair and transparent access to legal processes without undue delay or hindrance,” the statement said.

Other signatories are Michael Atherton, Michael Brearley, Nasser Hussain and David Gower (England), Allan Border, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Steve Waugh and Kim Hughes (Australia), Clive Lloyd (West Indies) and John Wright (New Zealand).

The office of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told AFP it had not yet received the captains’ statement.

The PTI thanked the former skippers for their support.

“On this occasion, we also expect all other current and former cricketers across the world to raise their voices against this injustice, as one of cricket’s greatest legends is currently languishing in prison as an innocent victim of political vendetta and severe injustice, where he is being deprived of basic human rights and essential medical facilities.

“Particularly alarming reports regarding his eyesight have surfaced, yet he is still not being allowed treatment from doctors of his own choice — a grave violation of human rights. We hope that cricketers from all over the world will raise their voices against this injustice so that this great former champion all-rounder can be provided with the dignity, justice, and immediate medical care he rightfully deserves.”

The Supreme Court has already requested a report on Imran’s living conditions in the Adiala jail near Rawalpindi, in connection with a case that has been pending since 2023.

Authorities had previously confirmed that he underwent a 20-minute medical procedure in January at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences but gave no other details.

“Recent reports concerning his health — particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody — and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern,” the captains said, calling for “decency and justice”.

Imran was prime minister from 2018 to 2022 before being removed in a no-confidence vote during a political crisis over tensions between his government and the establishment.

He has since faced multiple legal cases on corruption and other charges.

Imran and his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, maintain that the cases against him are politically motivated.

His arrest triggered nationwide protests in May 2023, some of which turned violent and led to hundreds of arrests.