Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
West Indies great Brian Lara has joined a growing list of former cricketers calling for jailed former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan to receive proper medical care. Lara, who spoke out on Saturday, stressed that ensuring humane treatment for Imran was ultimately a matter of basic compassion and dignity.
In his post on Instagram, the West Indies legend said he is shocked to see the former Pakistan captain not being cared for. Lara also said that Khan must be provided with proper, independent medical care.
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“Imran Khan and I only crossed paths on the field a handful of times, but the respect I have for him was instant and lasting,” Lara wrote in a post shared on social media.
“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.
“I stand with my fellow former captains in asking that he receive proper, independent medical care and the dignity every human being deserves. This isn’t politics. It’s basic humanity for a legend of our game.”
Khan, 73, has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023 following his conviction in corruption cases. Concerns over his health during his prolonged detention have drawn criticism from members of his family as well as former cricketers from around the world.
Lara has a personal connection to the former Pakistan captain, having faced the legendary all-rounder in four international matches during the West Indies’ tour of Pakistan in late 1990.
The calls for medical attention have also come from some of cricket’s biggest names. India’s Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, along with Australia’s Greg Chappell, have urged authorities to ensure Imran receives appropriate medical treatment. Australia captain Pat Cummins has also spoken publicly about the need for the former Pakistan skipper to be treated with dignity.
The issue received renewed international attention after Imran’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, spoke with former England captain Michael Atherton during Sky Sports’ coverage of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s.
The interview was broadcast during the lunch break, with the brothers using the platform to highlight their concerns about their father’s health and safety.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
