Lara Joins Global Legends Backing Imran Khan’s Right to Proper Medical Care

West Indies legend says former Pakistan captain deserves compassion, dignity and humane treatment.

Web Desk

PORT OF SPAIN: Former West Indies batting great Brian Lara on Saturday joined an international appeal for proper medical treatment and dignified conditions for imprisoned former Pakistan cricket captain and prime minister Imran Khan, saying the issue was one of “basic humanity”, rather than politics.

In a post on his official Instagram handle, Lara said he had only crossed paths with Imran a handful of times on the cricket field, but the respect he developed for the former Pakistan captain was “instant and lasting”.

Last month, 22 international cricketers, including 21 ex-captains, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appealing for the ex-premier’s medical treatment in line with recent Supreme Court directives. The letter’s signatories included Michael Atherton, Alex Blackwell, Allan Border, Michael Brearley and Greg Chappell, among others.

The statements came amid continuing concerns among Khan’s supporters over his health and access to medical treatment while he remains incarcerated.

“I am struggling to understand how someone who was once a beacon of hope, pride and inspiration for his country, at the height of his sporting career, could now find himself in a situation where he is not being cared for and treated with the compassion and dignity he deserves,” Lara said.

He said he stood with his fellow former captains in calling for Khan to receive proper and independent medical care. “I stand with my fellow former captains in asking that he receive proper, independent medical care and the dignity every human being deserves,” he said. Lara stressed that his appeal was not politically motivated, saying: “This isn't politics. It's basic humanity for a legend of our game.”

Khan, who led Pakistan to its first and only Cricket World Cup triumph in 1992, later entered politics and served as the country’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022.

A three-member SC bench on August 18 ordered Adiala jail authorities to transfer Khan, 73, who has remained in prison since August 2023, to Shifa Hospital for medical assessment and treatment within two days.

However, he was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

Following the government's move, the party filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court over the alleged violation of its order concerning the party founder's hospital transfer.