Accord Imran Khan basic human consideration: Kapil Dev, Gavaskar appeal to Pak govt

As concerns mount over the health and treatment of Imran Khan , Pakistan’s former cricket captain and prime minister, the spotlight on his incarceration has grown sharper with recent judicial action, medical evaluations, family pleas and international condemnation.

On Tuesday, 14 former international cricket captains from India, Australia, England, the West Indies and New Zealand issued a rare collective appeal to the Government of Pakistan, urging immediate medical care, humane detention conditions and transparent legal access for Imran Khan amid reports of serious deterioration in his vision and wellbeing.

The signatories, representing the sport’s elite across five continents, include Sunil Gavaskar , Kapil Dev , Michael Atherton (England), Michael Brearley (England), David Gower (England), Nasser Hussain (England), Allan Border (Australia), Greg Chappell (Australia), Ian Chappell (Australia), Belinda Clark (Australia), Kim Hughes (Australia), Stephen Waugh (Australia), Sir Clive Lloyd (West Indies) and John Wright (New Zealand). In their joint letter, they described Imran Khan as a “distinguished global sporting icon” whose achievements on and off the field demand respect, dignity and basic human consideration , urging authorities to rise above political contention in treating a former national leader.

Imran Khan, 73 , who led Pakistan to its historic 1992 Cricket World Cup triumph , has been jailed since August 2023 following a 14‑year corruption sentence. Supporters and his political party, the Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) , have long claimed the charges against him are politically motivated, turning his detention into one of the country’s most polarizing issues.

The flashpoint of the current crisis centres on Imran Khan’s eyesight. His legal team told Pakistan’s Supreme Court that he has lost about 85 per cent of vision in his right eye , a condition linked to a central retinal vein occlusion, a dangerous blockage that can cause serious, potentially permanent damage if not treated urgently. This prompted the court to order a high‑level medical evaluation.

A five‑member team of specialist doctors conducted a detailed medical examination of Imran Khan at Adiala Jail , including eye checks, blood tests, and routine vitals, with preliminary records sent to the Punjab Home Department. Authorities said daily monitoring continues and any decision on hospital transfer will depend on the full medical report.