**Ex-Cricket Captains Call for Medical Care for Imran Khan**
A coalition of former cricket captains from around the world has issued a public appeal for proper medical care for Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, who has been in custody since August 2023 on corruption charges that he denies. The group, which includes prominent figures such as Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar and former England captain Sir Alastair Cook, expressed their concerns in a letter addressed to Pakistan's current Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif.
Imran Khan, 73, has been facing a series of legal challenges, with over 100 cases lodged against him, ranging from allegations of leaking state secrets to selling state gifts. His supporters argue that these charges are politically motivated. Since his imprisonment, Khan's health has reportedly deteriorated, with claims of significant vision loss in his right eye. The former cricket captain's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has filed a contempt petition against the government for failing to provide him access to his personal doctors, as mandated by the Supreme Court.
In their letter, the 21 former captains highlighted three key demands regarding Khan's medical treatment. They called for him to be evaluated by a medical board appointed by the Supreme Court, which should include his personal physicians. This request is particularly urgent given the reported issues with Khan's eyesight. The letter also urged the government to facilitate weekly family visits to Khan, as previously ordered by the court, without any administrative delays. Lastly, they insisted that any medical treatments recommended by the medical board should be administered promptly.
The letter emphasized the importance of humane treatment, stating, "Whatever the legal and political arguments surrounding his case, the basic decency of ensuring a court-ordered medical process is actually completed is not, in our view, a controversial request." The signatories, who include cricketing greats from Australia, India, and England, noted their shared bond as former colleagues and rivals, transcending national borders and political disputes.
This is not the first time that concerns have been raised regarding Khan's treatment in custody. Earlier in February, a group of 14 former captains had already expressed their worries about his health and called for humane treatment and proper medical care. At that time, Khan's legal team reported that he had only 15% vision remaining in his right eye due to inadequate medical attention.
Khan's imprisonment has sparked widespread protests across Pakistan, with his supporters demanding his release and decrying what they perceive as a politically motivated crackdown. The situation has intensified tensions within the country, leading to a significant response from law enforcement.
On a recent occasion, Pakistan's Supreme Court directed the government to transfer Khan to a private hospital for a thorough medical examination. However, he was instead taken to a government-run facility in Islamabad, where doctors declared him "medically fit" before returning him to prison.
As the situation develops, the calls from former cricket captains for proper medical care for Imran Khan highlight not only concerns for his health but also the broader implications of his legal battles on Pakistan's political landscape.