Former Pakistan cricket player and captain, Imran Khan, has recently taken a turn for the worst, health wise. Usually, people who are yielded as national heroes are given first class treatment, when needed.
However, this isn't the case with the former captain. His political career has somewhat tainted his image and reputation. As a result, he isn't being treated in a proper manner.
It's so bad that former cricket captains have come out in support of Imran Khan.
The 73-year-old former Pakistan captain, who also served as the country's prime minister between 2018-2022, is currently serving two separate sentences of 17 and 14 years and has been held in detention since 2023. He is currently in the Adiala prison in Rawalpindi where fears over his well-being are rising.
A group of 14 cricket greats have demanded better treatment in prison for Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, Imran Khan.
Khan captained Pakistan to the men’s Cricket World Cup title in 1992 before serving as the nation’s Prime Minister between 2018 and 2022 but has been imprisoned since August 2023.
Khan was convicted in a string of cases relating to various charges of corruption and revealing state secrets. He has denied all the charges and has been acquitted in some cases.
Concerns have emerged over Khan’s treatment in prison, with his lawyer telling Pakistan’s Supreme Court last week that he had lost 85 percent of the vision in his right eye because of delayed treatment while in custody.
Despite tense political relations between India and Pakistan, former India captains, Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, are now among a group of distinguished former players who have signed a petition, released on Tuesday and verified, demanded better conditions for Khan.
The open letter, also signed by former England quartet: Mike Atherton; Nasser Hussain; Mike Brearley and David Gower, writes of their "deep concern" for Khan’s well-being, including the "alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody."
"Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him or grew up idolising his all-round brilliance, charisma and competitive spirit," the letter read.
"He remains one of the finest all-rounders and captains the sport has ever seen, earning respect from players, fans, and administrators alike."
"Beyond cricket, Imran Khan served as Prime Minister of Pakistan, leading his nation during a challenging period. Regardless of political perspectives, he holds the honour of having been democratically elected to the highest office in his country."
The letter called for Khan to be allowed "immediate, adequate and ongoing" medical attention from qualified specialists, to have "humane and dignified conditions of detention," to be allowed "regular visits by close family members" and for his “fair and transparent access to legal processes”.
The former cricketers added: "Cricket has long been a bridge between nations. Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn — and respect endures. Imran Khan embodied that spirit throughout his career."
Former Australia captain, Greg Chappell and his brother, Ian, also signed the letter, alongside ex-Australia internationals, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Belinda Clark and Kim Hughes as well as Clive Lloyd from the West Indies and John Wright from New Zealand.
Kasim Khan, Imran’s son, said of his father’s deteriorating eyesight: "This is the direct consequence of 922 days of solitary confinement, medical neglect (denied blood tests) and the deliberate denial of proper treatment in jail."
He added: "We urge human rights bodies, legal institutions and democratic nations to confront this persecution and ensure those responsible face consequences."
Khan’s sister, Noreen Niazi, has said her brother is going through "unimaginable mistreatment" in prison. "His medical complaints were ignored unduly and unjustly for a long period of three months while he was kept in illegal solitary confinement," she wrote on social media.
In December, Khan and his wife were given sentences of 17 years after a court found them guilty of illegally retaining and selling state gifts.
Pakistan’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar, said of Khan’s condition on Saturday: "Further check up and treatment will be done in a specialised medical facility by the best eye specialists."
A spokesperson for Khan, Zulfi Bukhari, spoke on Monday and claimed that Khan's personal doctor hadn't been allowed to examine the former cricketer turned politician, who is said to have lost 85% of vision in his right eye.
In their joint statement issued on Tuesday, the 14 former Test captains from five nations - a group which also included England's Mike Brearley and David Gower, Australia's Steve Waugh and India's Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev - demanded better treatment for Khan.
"Recent reports concerning his health - particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody - and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern," read the statement.
"As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play, honour and respect that transcend the boundary rope, we believe that a person of Imran Khan's stature deserves to be treated with dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and global sporting icon."
"We respectfully urge the government of Pakistan to ensure that Imran Khan receives: Immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing to address his reported health issues; Humane and dignified conditions of detention in line with international standards, including regular visits by close family members; Fair and transparent access to legal process without undue delay or hindrance."
Bukhari also claimed that Khan had been in isolation at the Adiala prison for about 90 days and hasn't been able to see his family. Khan, who played in 88 Test matches and 175 one-day internationals for Pakistan, has claimed his convictions are politically motivated.
Khan is widely-viewed as Pakistan’s best-ever cricketer, leading the nations to its first-ever Test series victories in India and England in 1987.
An accomplished all-rounder who, in 88 Tests scored over 3 000 runs as a batter and took 300 wickets bowling, while his 21-year international career between 1971 and 1992 also saw him captain Pakistan to their One Day International World Cup title in 1992.
He later embarked on a political career, founding his own party: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), or the Movement for Justice.
As Prime Minister, Khan ushered in a new Pakistan foreign policy, moving away from the United States and closer to Russia and China.
I don't care who you are, everyone deserves adequate healthcare services. While it's admirable what the former captains have done; it shouldn't be required.
Despite the apparent atrocities made, Khan is still considered to be a national hero and treasure. The public will hence be outraged by the treatment and will demand change. No public figure wants to feel the wrath of the locals who are dismayed as to the events that are occuring that will no doubt enrange them.