Former captains urge proper medical care for Imran Khan
21 former captains renew appeal for Imran Khan
Twenty-one former international cricket captains have written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging the government to ensure proper medical care for former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan.
The former cricketers have called for an independent medical examination, appropriate treatment and uninterrupted weekly family meetings for Khan.
The appeal comes after recent developments surrounding Khan’s medical examination and his return to Adiala Jail. According to reports, the former captains say the process followed by authorities did not fully meet the arrangements they understood to have been ordered by the Supreme Court.
Cricket legends raise concerns over medical examination
The former captains said the Supreme Court had directed that Khan be taken to a hospital for a medical examination by a multidisciplinary medical board. They said the board was to include Khan’s personal doctors and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan.
The captains expressed concern that Khan remained at the hospital for only a few hours before being returned to Adiala Jail. They also questioned whether the medical assessment was conducted by the board referred to in the court’s directions.
Three key demands made in the letter
The former captains have made three main requests in their latest appeal to the prime minister.
First, they want the medical board to conduct a complete and independent examination of Khan in line with the Supreme Court’s directions.
They have particularly highlighted reports concerning reduced vision in his right eye and called for the issue to receive proper medical attention.
Second, they have called for weekly family meetings to continue without interruption.
Third, they have asked authorities to provide any treatment recommended after the medical examination without delay.
Captains say appeal is not political
The former cricketers have stressed that their appeal is not intended to interfere in Pakistan’s domestic legal or political affairs. They said they were requesting former teammates and opponents of Khan who share a connection through international cricket.
The signatories include prominent former captains from several cricketing nations. Among them are Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Alastair Cook, Adam Gilchrist, Clive Lloyd, Nasser Hussain, Andrew Strauss and Steve Waugh.
Second appeal in six months
The latest letter is the second appeal from former international captains concerning Khan’s medical care within six months. In February, 14 former captains had also written to the Pakistani government over concerns about Khan’s health.
Also Read: Govt calls SC order on Imran Khan’s hospital transfer beyond legal authority
The earlier appeal followed reports about problems affecting vision in one of Khan’s eyes. The latest letter adds seven more former captains to the group and renews the call for proper medical assessment and treatment.
Government says court order was followed
The government has maintained that the Supreme Court’s directions were implemented and that Khan received a detailed medical examination.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said a team of qualified doctors examined Khan and declared him medically fit. He said the team included an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist and a physician, while Khan’s sister was also present during the examination.
Tarar later clarified that the examination was conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), with doctors from Shifa International Hospital also involved. He said the decision to use PIMS was taken because of security concerns.
Khan returns to Adiala Jail
Khan was transferred back to Adiala Jail after the medical examination. The development followed a Supreme Court order concerning his medical assessment and treatment.
According to government officials, the medical team found him medically fit after conducting the examination. Khan’s supporters and representatives, however, have continued to raise concerns about his health and the handling of his medical care.
