Last Updated on 20 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Seven former Australia cricket captains have written to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, urging her to pay attention to humanitarian concerns surrounding the detention of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan.
Health and Detention Conditions Concerns Over Imran Khan
Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh said they were speaking as past cricket captains, not as political figures or diplomats. They said they were not taking any position regarding a legal or political proceeding against Khan and that those issues are for Pakistan to deal with.
The former captains said their concern was the way a person in detention is being treated. They cited reports of limited access to medical care, restricted contact with family members, and difficulties in obtaining legal aid.
The appeal comes after 22 former international cricket captains wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in August asking him to ensure Khan gets better medical care. They demanded an independent medical assessment, including an examination of reports of Khan having vision problems in his right eye.
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The group also called on authorities to permit family visits ordered by the court on a weekly basis and to provide any medical treatment recommended following the evaluation.
Earlier this year, 14 ex-international captains had also called for better care for Imran Khan in Rawalpindi Jail. Former Pakistan cricketers Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad and Moin Khan have since voiced similar concerns, while current Australia skipper Pat Cummins has also spoken about the need for proper medical care.
Greg Chappell had requested a meeting with Foreign Minister Penny Wong last month to raise the matter on behalf of the former Australian skippers but has had no response.
Speaking on The Grade Cricketer Podcast last month, Chappell shed light on Khan’s situation.
“He’s been in isolation for three years. I don’t know how anyone deals with that,” he said. “Imran is as strong physically and mentally as anyone that I’ve played cricket against, but I don’t know how you deal with absolute isolation for three years.
“I don’t think he’s allowed books to read, he’s pretty much got to sit there and behave himself. He’s in the dark most of the time.
“After our first letter in February this year, the boys [Imran’s two sons] got two hours on the phone with him for the first time in two years and a bit that he’s been in isolation. They’re not allowed any conversations with him.”
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