3 hrs ago
Seven former Australian captains make humanitarian appeal for Imran Khan
Seven former Australian cricket captains wrote to Foreign Minister Penny Wong about Imran Khan.
Khan is a former Pakistan cricket captain and former prime minister who is in prison.
The captains said they were not taking sides in his legal or political case.
They said every detained person should receive basic humane treatment.
They were especially worried about Khan’s health.
A larger group of former international captains also asked for family visits and independent medical checks.
Khan’s sons have separately said they fear for his safety.
The appeals come as supporters report that Khan has been in custody for more than three years.
Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh wrote to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
The former captains said they were concerned about Imran Khan’s health and the treatment of detained people, while taking no position on his legal or political case.
The appeal follows concerns from Khan’s sons, who alleged that authorities were trying to silence him and harm him in prison.
A separate petition signed by 21 former international captains urged family access and independent medical checks for Khan.
The petition cited Khan’s reported right-eye vision loss and said he had spent more than three years in custody.
- Who
- Seven former Australian cricket captains, including Allan Border, Greg Chappell and Steve Waugh, appealed to Foreign Minister Penny Wong concerning Imran Khan.
- What
- They requested humanitarian attention to Khan’s health and treatment in custody, without taking a position on his legal or political case.
- Where
- The appeal was sent to Australia’s foreign minister and concerns Khan’s imprisonment in Pakistan.
- When
- The latest letter was reported during the England-Pakistan series; Khan has been in custody for more than three years.
- Why
- The former captains cited concerns about Khan’s health, including reported significant vision loss in his right eye, and the need for family access and independent medical checks.
Humanitarian concerns
Legal and political jurisdiction
How Khan’s detention should be addressed
Humanitarian concerns
The former captains and other supporters argue that Khan should receive humane treatment, family visits and independent medical checks regardless of political views.
Legal and political jurisdiction
The Australian captains said they were not taking a position on the legal or political case, describing it as a matter for Pakistan.
Khan’s health and safety
Humanitarian concerns
Khan’s sons and the petitioners expressed concern about his health, including reported vision loss and alleged efforts to silence him.
Legal and political jurisdiction
The articles do not provide a response from Pakistani authorities to those allegations or requests.
Key facts
- Appeal signatories
- Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh
- Recipient
- Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign minister
- Person at center
- Imran Khan, former Pakistan captain and former prime minister
- Custody duration
- More than three years, according to the petition
- Health concern
- The petition cited reports of significant vision loss in Khan’s right eye
- Additional petition
- A separate appeal was signed by 21 former international captains
- Requested measures
- Family access, independent medical checks and completion of a court-ordered medical assessment
Quotes
Twenty-one former international captains
Signatories of an international cricket captains’ petition supporting medical care and family access for Khan.
“Imran Khan is 73 years old and has now spent more than three years in custody. Whatever the legal and political arguments surrounding his case, the basic decency of ensuring a court-ordered medical process is actually completed is not, in our view, a controversial request.”
thehansindia.com
“Adding my support here to GC and the other former international captains. I hope the court-ordered medical assessment be allowed to run its course and that family visits continue. I hope Imran Khan is treated with the dignity anyone deserves.”
thehansindia.com
Sulaiman Isa Khan
Imran Khan’s son, who spoke about his father’s health during an interview with Sky Sports.
“It’s very, very clear what they’re doing, which is they’re just blatantly trying to kill him in there. They just want to keep him in there as long as possible and hopefully just silence him.”
thehansindia.com








