Ex-cricket captains pen letter to Australian foreign minister raising concerns about Imran's detention
Seven former Australia cricket captains have written to the country’‘s foreign minister, Penny Wong, to raise concerns over PTI founder Imran Khan’s incarceration, terming it a matter of “basic humanity”, Cricinfo reported on Tuesday. Imran, 73, has been imprisoned since 2023 and was sentenced late last year along with his wife to 17 years on corruption charges they both deny. According to…
In a letter penned to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, seven former captains of the Australian cricket team have expressed their concern over the imprisonment of Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The letter, which was reported by Cricinfo on Tuesday, highlights the seven captains' belief that Khan's detention is a matter of "basic humanity".
These captains, including Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor, and Steve Waugh, wrote the letter not as diplomats or political figures, but as former cricket leaders who felt it was their duty to voice their concerns. They made clear that they are not taking a stance on the legal or political case against Imran Khan, deeming it a matter for Pakistan to address.
The letter emphasizes their primary concern for the treatment of any individual in detention, irrespective of their political beliefs. A spokesperson for Wong indicated that Australia regularly raises the issue of Imran Khan's detention in discussions with Pakistan. They also assured that they continue to advocate for appropriate medical care for Khan.
Last month, a group of 22 international cricketers, among them the aforementioned seven captains, addressed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, requesting that Imran Khan be provided with medical treatment in line with Supreme Court directives. The Supreme Court had previously ordered Khan to be transferred to Shifa International Hospital, a private facility, for medical examination and treatment by a team of specialists.
However, Khan was instead moved to the government-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. In February, Indian cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev joined a dozen other former international captains in calling for improved prison conditions for Khan, who they hailed as "one of the finest all-rounders" in cricket history.
The Australian government has defended Khan's detention, stating that it complies with the Pakistan Prison Rules, judicial directives, and security measures appropriate for a high-profile prisoner. They have also dismissed allegations of punitive solitary confinement, cruelty, or deprivation.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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