Seven former Australian cricket captains have raised humanitarian concerns over the detention and medical treatment of former Pakistan prime minister and cricket captain Imran Khan.
The former players wrote to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, saying they felt compelled to speak out over Khan’s situation.
The letter was signed by Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh.
Former Captains Focus on Khan’s Medical Care
The former Australian captains said they were making the appeal “not as diplomats or political figures, but as former captains who felt compelled to speak up.”
They said they were not taking a position on the legal or political proceedings against Khan.
Instead, they focused on what they described as the basic humanitarian treatment of people in detention.
The former captains said medical care should remain a matter of basic humanity regardless of a detainee’s political position.
Khan, 73, has remained in custody since August 2023 following convictions in several cases.
Supreme Court Ordered Medical Assessment
The appeal follows an August 18 order by a three-member Supreme Court bench concerning Khan’s medical treatment.
The court directed Adiala jail authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa Hospital for medical assessment and treatment within two days.
However, Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present at PIMS.
The former Australian captains have now called for the court-ordered medical process to be completed fully and independently.
Three Key Requests From Former Captains
The former cricketers made three specific requests regarding Khan’s health and detention.
First, they called for the medical board directed by the Supreme Court to complete a full and independent assessment.
They specifically highlighted reports concerning possible loss of vision in Khan’s right eye.
They also asked that Khan’s own doctors be allowed to participate in the medical assessment.
Second, they called for weekly family visits ordered by the court to continue without interruption or administrative delays.
Third, they urged authorities to provide any medical treatment recommended by the assessment without delay.
The former captains said Khan had spent more than three years in custody and was now 73 years old.
They argued that ensuring a court-ordered medical process is properly completed should not be considered a controversial demand.
International Cricket Figures Raise Concerns
The latest appeal follows a similar initiative by former international cricket captains.
On August 23, 22 former international captains wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeking improved medical treatment for Khan.
They also called for an independent medical board and requested that Khan’s family visits be respected.
Former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Moin Khan have also expressed concerns about Khan’s health.
Current Australia captain Pat Cummins has previously supported calls for appropriate medical care.
The latest letter adds further international cricket voices to growing calls for Khan’s medical condition and court-ordered treatment arrangements to receive attention.
