Former Cricket Captains Appeal for Imran Khan’s Medical Care
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A group of 14 former international cricket captains, including renowned figures such as India’s Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, have appealed to the Pakistani government for enhanced medical care for Imran Khan, a former cricketer and politician currently incarcerated. Their concerns hinge on deteriorating reports regarding Khan’s eyesight while he remains behind bars.
In a formal letter directed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the captains emphasized the need for Khan to be treated with dignity, highlighting alarming claims about the decline of his vision during his detention.
Political Response and Protests
In light of these concerns, political members from Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), rallied together and concluded a sit-in protest outside the parliament, following positive news from doctors regarding improvements in Khan’s eyesight condition.
Khan, who captained Pakistan to its historic World Cup victory in 1992 and later served as the nation’s prime minister from 2018 until his removal in 2022, has faced criminal allegations that he denies as politically motivated. Since his imprisonment in 2023 for alleged corruption, his health has increasingly become a point of contention.
Health Concerns and Government Response
Reports emerged earlier this year that Khan received hospital treatment for his eye condition, with his lawyer, Salman Safdar, revealing that he had reportedly lost around 85% of vision in his right eye. However, statements from the Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi dismissed these claims, labeling them as mere propaganda. At the same time, government officials asserted that there has been significant improvement in his sight, contradicting family accounts who claim they have not been able to verify his condition due to restricted access.
Support from Cricket Legends
The letter penned by the former cricket icons included luminaries such as Ian Chappell, Clive Lloyd, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, and David Gower, all of whom expressed a personal connection to Khan’s legacy as a celebrated player. They joined forces in calling for continuous medical supervision by specialists of Khan’s choosing.
In the wake of this, various Pakistani cricket legends, such as Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, have also taken a public stance, voicing their support for Khan. Additionally, in light of Ajay Jadeja‘s encouragement to speak out, the situation has garnered greater attention within the cricketing community.
Khan’s Legacy and Political Journey
Khan’s journey began in 1971 with his international debut against England, and he became captain in 1982, garnering recognition as one of the greatest all-rounders in the sport. After leading Pakistan to its crowning moment in cricket history, he retired shortly afterward and founded the PTI party in 1996, which eventually propelled him to the prime minister’s office in 2018.
However, his political career faced a tumultuous turn when he was ousted in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote, later leading to his imprisonment amidst allegations of conspiracy involving political adversaries and military entities, all of which he staunchly denies.
Despite his current situation, Khan continues to resonate as a significant figure in Pakistan’s political landscape.
