Former Pakistan cricketers Javed Miandad, Moin Khan and Basit Ali have urged the government to ensure proper medical treatment for jailed former captain and ex-prime minister Imran Khan.
Their appeals come amid growing concern from cricket personalities in Pakistan and abroad over Imran’s health and access to medical care during his imprisonment.
The development follows Australian captain Pat Cummins publicly joining calls concerning Imran’s medical treatment. Cummins became the first active international cricket captain to speak publicly on the matter.
Cummins expressed support for former international captains who had already raised concerns about Imran’s situation. He said he hoped the court-ordered medical assessment would be allowed to proceed.
The Australian captain also called for continued family visits and said Imran should be treated with dignity. His comments gained attention because previous appeals had mainly come from retired cricketers.
Earlier, 22 former international cricket captains had written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. They called for proper medical treatment for Imran, who led Pakistan to its historic 1992 World Cup victory.
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan has now added his voice to those demands. Moin played under Imran during Pakistan’s successful 1992 World Cup campaign.
Moin appealed to the government and prison authorities to ensure that his former captain receives the medical care he requires. He also encouraged other cricketers to speak publicly about the issue.
The former wicketkeeper said access to proper medical treatment is a basic right. He urged authorities to address Imran’s health requirements and ensure that appropriate care is provided.
Javed Miandad has also made an emotional appeal concerning his former teammate. The Pakistan batting legend became emotional while discussing Imran’s imprisonment.
Miandad questioned why the former Pakistan captain remains behind bars. He also defended Imran’s character while appealing for the situation surrounding his imprisonment to be resolved.
Miandad and Imran played together for Pakistan for several years. Both were members of the team that won the 1992 Cricket World Cup in Melbourne.
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has also called on authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for Imran. His comments add to the growing number of cricket figures discussing the former captain’s situation.
The latest appeals come after the Supreme Court of Pakistan issued directions concerning Imran’s medical examination and treatment. On August 18, the court ordered authorities to transfer him from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.
The court directed that a multidisciplinary medical board examine and treat Imran. It also allowed his personal physician and sister to remain involved in his medical care.
However, authorities later took Imran to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) instead of Shifa International Hospital. A government medical panel subsequently examined him at PIMS.
The government panel declared Imran medically fit after the examination. Authorities then returned him to Adiala Jail.
Imran’s family later approached the Supreme Court, alleging that authorities had not complied with the court’s direction to transfer him to Shifa International Hospital.
The government has rejected allegations that Imran is being denied appropriate medical treatment. Officials also deny claims that he is being subjected to mistreatment or punitive conditions in prison.
Government officials maintain that the former prime minister has received medical attention during his imprisonment. They also say he has been allowed access to visitors under applicable prison rules.
Despite the government’s position, Imran’s family and political party continue to demand that the Supreme Court’s medical directions be fully implemented.
The growing involvement of cricket personalities has brought additional attention to the issue. Imran remains one of Pakistan’s most prominent sporting figures, having captained the country to its only Cricket World Cup title.
With former Pakistan cricketers and international cricket figures now speaking about his medical care, pressure continues to build for authorities to address concerns surrounding his health.
The calls from Miandad, Moin and Basit reflect wider demands for proper medical treatment and dignity for the jailed former captain. The issue is likely to remain under public attention as the legal and medical proceedings continue.
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