Daijiworld Media Network - Sydney
Sydney, Sep 15: Seven former Australia cricket captains have approached Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, raising humanitarian concerns over the detention and treatment of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan.
The letter to Wong has been signed by Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh. The former captains clarified that they were writing "not as diplomats or political figures, but as former captains who felt compelled to speak up".
The group said it was taking no position on the legal or political case against Khan, describing that as a matter for Pakistan. Instead, they said their concern was about the treatment of any person in detention, calling it "a matter of basic humanity, whatever their politics".
The latest appeal is part of a series of interventions by prominent former international cricketers over Khan's health and treatment while in detention in Pakistan.
On August 23, 22 former international captains from around the world wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeking better medical treatment for Khan. They said the treatment being provided to him fell short of a directive issued by Pakistan's Supreme Court.
The former captains made three specific requests. They called for the medical board directed by the Supreme Court, including Khan's own doctors, to be allowed to conduct a full and independent assessment of his health, particularly reports of loss of vision in his right eye. They also sought restoration of weekly family visits ordered by the court without interruption or administrative delays. They further urged that any treatment recommended following the medical assessment be provided without delay.
The latest letter follows an earlier appeal in February, when 14 former international captains wrote in support of Khan. Since then, former Pakistan cricketers Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Moin Khan have also spoken out on the issue, while current Australia captain Pat Cummins has expressed concern.
According to the latest letter, Khan's sons and sisters have for months publicly raised concerns about his health and treatment in detention, including limited medical care, restricted family contact and minimal access to legal counsel.
Greg Chappell had also requested a meeting with Foreign Minister Wong last month to discuss the matter on behalf of the group. However, he has not received a response, according to the letter.