Kapil Dev, Gavaskar among 21 former cricket captains urge Pakistan PM to ensure proper medical care for Imran Khan
PTC News Desk: A group of 21 former international cricket captains, including Indian cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, have once again appealed to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure “humane treatment and proper medical care” for former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The appeal was made on August 23 amid concerns about Khan’s health and recent developments over a court-ordered medical examination. The 73-year-old former cricketer has been in custody for more than three years.
"Dear Prime Minister, six months ago, fourteen former international cricket captains wrote to you and the Pakistani government appealing for humane treatment and proper medical care for Imran Khan. We wrote then not as politicians, but as former colleagues and rivals who share a bond forged on the cricket field, one that transcends the borders and disputes that too often divide countries. We write again now, joined by seven further former captains, because of what has reportedly just occurred," they wrote.
This is the second such appeal. Six months ago, 14 former international captains had written to Sharif seeking proper treatment for Khan. Seven more former captains have now joined the appeal.
In their letter, the former captains said they were speaking out because of their long-standing connection with Khan through cricket, and not because of any political reason.
"Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered that Imran Khan be transferred to a hospital for examination by a medical board that was to include his own personal physicians and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan. The Court also reinstated weekly family visits. These were very welcome steps," the letter stated.
"Concerningly, Mr Khan's hospital stay lasted only a few hours. He was examined by a state-appointed team rather than the board the Court had directed, declared 'medically fit,' and returned to Adiala Jail before that board could complete its work. His family and legal team say this falls short of what the court ordered," it added.
The group also referred to a Pakistan Supreme Court order directing that Khan be taken to a hospital for examination by a medical board. The board was to include his personal doctors as well as his sister, Dr Uzma Khan.
The court had also ordered that Khan be allowed to meet his family members every week.
- With inputs from agencies
