NEW DELHI, Aug 23: Former Indian cricket captains Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, and Dilip Vengsarkar are among 21 former international captains who have penned a letter urging Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure proper medical treatment and welfare for jailed former Prime Minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the initiative was spearheaded by former Australian captain Greg Chappell. This marks the second occasion that former international captains have collectively appealed for humane treatment and adequate medical care for the 73-year-old Khan, who is currently incarcerated.
The signatories, whose letter was disseminated via social media platforms, implored the Pakistani government to permit the medical board, previously directed by the Supreme Court and including Imran Khan’s personal physicians, to conduct an independent assessment of his health. Particular concern has been raised regarding his reported diminishing vision in his right eye.
The appeal also called for the reinstatement of weekly family visits, a provision previously sanctioned by the Supreme Court, to be consistently honoured without any disruption. Furthermore, the captains emphasized that any treatment recommended by the medical assessment should be administered promptly and without delay.
In their correspondence, the former leaders stated that they did not intend to interfere with or adjudicate Pakistan’s domestic legal proceedings. However, they expressed a strong belief that ensuring the completion of a court-ordered medical process was a fundamental matter of human decency and ethical conduct.
The list of prominent signatories, in addition to the Indian trio, includes a distinguished roster of cricketing legends. They are Allan Border, Michael Atherton, Michael Brearley, Ian Chappell, Greg Chappell, Belinda Clark, Alastair Cook, Adam Gilchrist, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga, Andrew Strauss, Stephen Waugh, and John Wright.
The collective appeal underscores the widespread concern among former sports leaders regarding the welfare of Imran Khan, who led Pakistan to World Cup victory in 1992. The letter highlights the shared sentiment that basic human rights, including access to adequate healthcare and family contact, should be upheld for all individuals, irrespective of their political standing or circumstances of detention.
The intervention by these distinguished former captains transcends national boundaries, reflecting a unified voice from the international sports community on matters of humanitarian concern. Their appeal aims to draw the attention of Pakistani authorities to the critical need for compassionate and transparent handling of Imran Khan’s medical situation, aligning with established principles of human rights and due process.
The Chenab Times News Desk