Imran Khan's sons claims he 'won't survive' in prison; lawyer alleges 'slow-motion murder' plot

A coalition of 21 former cricket captains from around the world has penned a letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging the timely and humane treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The letter, dated between August 23-24, 2026, follows Khan's recent detention and a brief hospital visit under heavy security.

The Supreme Court had mandated his transfer to the private Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive medical evaluation by a board comprising his personal physicians and sister, Dr Uzma Khan, along with reinstated weekly family visits. However, officials instead transferred Khan to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where he was deemed fit after a few hours and returned to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on August 21.

The cricket legends' communication expresses dissatisfaction with the process, alleging it falls short of the court's directives. They highlight that Khan was examined by a state-appointed team, not the court-appointed board, and released prematurely before the board could complete its assessment. The signatories, including luminaries like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Greg Chappell, and Michael Atherton, emphasize their appeal is not political but as former colleagues and rivals united by their shared cricketing bond.

They request the court-appointed board to conduct a thorough independent assessment, particularly addressing Khan's reported vision loss, ensure uninterrupted weekly family visits, and expedite any necessary treatment.

In February, the same group of former captains had earlier urged for improved conditions amid concerns over Khan's deteriorating eyesight and prolonged isolation since August 2023. Khan, renowned for leading Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup, is currently facing multiple corruption-related convictions that he and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party contend are politically motivated.

Authorities, however, refute these claims. Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, persistently highlight Pakistan's issues concerning political detentions, fair-trial standards, solitary confinement, and access to adequate medical care, as exemplified by Khan's case.

While the international community, including the United States, has shown tolerance towards these issues in pursuit of strategic and security cooperation with Pakistan, the impact of the cricket legends' intervention on Khan's situation remains uncertain. The letter serves as a reminder of Khan's global sporting reputation and the ongoing international dialogue concerning his treatment.