CANBERRA: Seven former Australian cricket captains have written to Foreign Minister Penny Wong over the detention and medical treatment of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan.
The letter was signed by Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh.
The former captains said they were making the appeal as former cricket captains and not as diplomats or political figures.
They said they were not taking a position on the legal or political proceedings against Khan. Instead, they raised concerns about the treatment of people in detention.
Supreme Court Orders Medical Assessment
Imran Khan, 73, has been in prison since August 2023 after convictions in several cases.
On August 18, a three-member Supreme Court bench ordered Adiala jail authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa Hospital.
The court directed that he undergo medical assessment and treatment within two days.
However, authorities took Khan to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present at PIMS.
Captains Seek Medical Treatment
The former Australian captains made three requests in their letter.
They called for the medical board ordered by the Supreme Court to conduct a full and independent assessment of Khan’s health.
They also asked for Khan’s own doctors to be included in the medical board. The captains highlighted reports of vision loss in his right eye.
The former captains also called for weekly family visits to be allowed without interruption or administrative delays.
They further demanded that any treatment recommended by the medical board be provided without delay.
International Cricket Figures Raise Concern
The latest appeal follows a letter sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 23.
Twenty-two former international cricket captains signed that letter and called for better medical treatment for Khan.
The issue has also drawn concern from former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Moin Khan.
Current Australia captain Pat Cummins has also backed calls for medical care.
The latest letter follows an earlier appeal in February that was signed by 14 former international cricket captains.
The former Australian captains said ensuring that the court-ordered medical process was completed was a basic humanitarian matter.
