Give Imran Khan proper medical care, cricket legends urge Pakistani gov’t

What the report says

Twenty-one former international cricket captains have urged Pakistan’s government to ensure imprisoned former prime minister and ex-captain Imran Khan receives proper medical attention, according to Al Jazeera. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and seen by the outlet, the group called for humane treatment, an independent health assessment and the restoration of Khan’s weekly family visits. The appeal was confirmed by several signatories, including former captains from Australia, England, the West Indies, India and Sri Lanka.

Al Jazeera reported that the letter was sent on August 23, after Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, said he had been taken to a state-run hospital rather than the private facility ordered by Pakistan’s Supreme Court. The court had directed authorities to move Khan from Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital for examination by a medical board including his personal doctors and sister, Dr Uzma Khan. The former captains said the court-ordered process should be completed without delay and that any treatment recommended should be provided promptly.

Khan, 73, has been imprisoned for three years on multiple charges. The signatories, including cricket Hall of Famers such as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Clive Lloyd, Allan Border, Greg Chappell and others, said their concern was humanitarian rather than political. The issue has broader resonance because Khan is one of Pakistan’s most famous sporting figures and a former world champion captain. Al Jazeera said the Pakistan government did not respond to its request for comment.