Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday showed support for an appeal made by several former international captains calling for fair treatment and appropriate medical care for Imran Khan, emphasizing that the cricketer-turned-politician merits proper care for his contributions to Pakistan as both a captain and a Prime Minister. Among the 14 former captains expressing "deep concern" about Khan's declining health are renowned Indian players Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, who have written a letter urging the Pakistan government to provide sufficient medical attention and ensure dignified conditions that meet international standards.
Former Cricket Legends Urge Pakistan To Treat Imran Khan Fairly In Jail.
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| Imran Khan - (Image Credit - Wikimedia commons) |
Cricket legends including Sourav Ganguly urge Pakistan government to ensure humane treatment and medical care for jailed Imran Khan amid health concerns and legal controversy.
In a rare cross-border display of solidarity, former international cricket captains — including Indian greats — have penned a heartfelt letter urging the Government of Pakistan to ensure fair and humane treatment for former prime minister and cricket legend Imran Khan while in jail. The appeal, which has resonated around the world, highlights grave concerns over Khan’s deteriorating health, especially his vision, and underscores a universal call for dignity and justice -The Economic Times reported.
Among those backing the plea is former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who publicly supported the initiative even though he wasn’t one of the original signatories.
Ganguly said that he hopes Khan receives the right treatment and care, given his immense contributions to Pakistan as a cricket captain and a national leader, The Times of India reported.
The Letter From Cricket Icons
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| Sourav Ganguly - (Image Credit - Wikimedia Commons) |
The joint letter, titled “Appeal by former International Cricket Captains,” was signed by 14 renowned former captains from cricket-playing nations, including Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev of India, Michael Atherton (England), Allan Border (Australia) and others. The document was addressed to Pakistani authorities and called on them to:
- Ensure immediate, adequate and ongoing medical care for Khan from specialists of his choice.
- Provide humane and dignified detention conditions in line with international standards.
- Allow regular family visits and transparent legal proceedings without unnecessary delays, as per information source "The Times of India".
The cricketers emphasized the spirit of sportsmanship and human respect, saying that rivalry ends once the game is over, and respect should persist beyond the boundary lines.
Why Imran Khan Is In Jail?
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| Jail Illustration - (Credit-Wikimedia Commons) |
Imran Khan, once one of the most celebrated all-rounders in cricket and captain of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning team, transitioned into politics and founded the "Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)" party. He served as Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022, before being removed from office through a parliamentary no-confidence vote.
Since his ouster, Khan has faced a string of legal cases. In 2023, a Pakistani court convicted him in a corruption case, sentencing him to a lengthy prison term. He has been accused in several other cases ranging from financial misconduct to leaking state secrets , charges he and his supporters vehemently deny, calling them politically motivated attempts to silence him.
Khan and his legal team argue that the convictions and ongoing imprisonment are part of a broader political campaign against him. His supporters within PTI have protested and demanded transparency, fair trials, and better prison conditions, reported by AajTak.
Imran Khan's Health Issues And Global Concern
Reports suggest that while incarcerated at "Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi", Khan’s health has significantly deteriorated — particularly his eyesight, with some sources claiming he has lost up to 85% vision in one eye due to alleged lack of medical care. His family and party have criticized the medical examinations and raised concerns about isolation and limited access to personal doctors.
The letter from the cricket captains highlights the need for medical care that meets international standards, and it calls on the authorities to respect Khan’s dignity as a former national leader and global sports icon.
The Significance Of This Appeal By Ganguly And Others.
What makes this appeal notable is the "sportsmanship-driven humanitarian concern" from former athletes, some of whom once competed against Khan on the international stage. Their collective voice transcends political divides and underscores the role of respect, fairness, and basic human rights even in the most contentious of circumstances.
In backing the plea, figures like Ganguly are helping turn the spotlight not just on Khan’s past achievements — on the cricket field and in public office — but also on the broader global conversation about justice, human rights, and compassionate treatment of incarcerated leaders.