By The South Asia Times

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD – As concerns mount over the deteriorating health of former Pakistani prime minister and cricket icon Imran Khan, some of the sport's biggest names have broken their silence, urging Pakistan's government to provide him with proper medical care and dignified treatment.

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, in a video interview, recalled a friendship spanning more than five decades as he joined a growing chorus of international cricketers appealing for Khan's humane treatment.

“ I’ve known Imran since India played against Worcester. Way back in 1971 he was just a 17-year-old trying to qualify as an overseas player,” Gavaskar said. “Since then, we’ve played against each other and got to know each other fairly well.”

Expressing concern over reports about Khan’s health in prison, Gavaskar said he felt compelled to support an appeal for humanitarian treatment.

The emotional appeal comes after a medical report submitted to Pakistan's Supreme Court earlier this month revealed that Khan has lost 85 percent of vision in his right eye while in custody – a condition his lawyers attribute to authorities' refusal to provide timely medical treatment despite repeated requests.

"To see the news coming out about the health problems that he's had because of inadequate medical treatment certainly made me want to join the appeal for asking that proper humanitarian treatment be given to him," Gavaskar said. "We're not trying to enter into any political discussion over here. We just want that political differences aside, a humanitarian view should be taken."

The former Indian captain emphasized Khan's iconic status. "Not to forget that he is a hero in Pakistan. He's one of the rare cricketers who's world famous. Not every cricketer is world famous, and he's put Pakistan's name on the world map. So clearly, I think he deserves a lot of human treatment."

Gavaskar's appeal is part of a broader initiative by twelve former international cricket captains who have released a joint statement to the Pakistani government.

The signatories include:

In their one-page appeal, the cricket legends requested :

• Immediate, adequate, and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of Khan's choosing

• Humane and dignified conditions of detention, including regular family visits

• Fair and transparent access to legal processes without undue delay

"Recent reports concerning his health – particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody – and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern," the statement read.

The captains highlighted Khan's dual legacy in cricket and politics. "Imran Khan's contributions to the game are universally admired. As captain, he led Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory – a triumph built on skill, resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship that inspired generations across borders".

Beyond cricket, Imran Khan served as Prime Minister of Pakistan, leading the country during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. His government’s anti-COVID strategy received international attention and was praised by global institutions, including the World Health Organization.

Regardless of political perspectives, he holds the distinction of having been democratically elected to the highest office in his country.

Sourav Ganguly, another former India captain, echoed the sentiment. "I hope his health recovers, and I hope he gets the right treatment because he has taken Pakistan to the world map, being captain of the Pakistan cricket team and then Prime Minister of Pakistan. So, I am sure he must be looked after and respected," Ganguly told reporters.

- Vision loss and alleged negligence

The cricketing appeals follow alarming medical revelations about the 73-year-old former prime minister's condition.

A medical report submitted to the Supreme Court earlier this month confirmed that Khan is suffering from central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition that has left him with approximately 15% vision in his right eye .

Khan's lawyer, Salman Safdar, told the court that Khan lost 85%  of his vision due to jail authorities' refusal to provide timely treatment despite repeated requests. The report indicated that treatment was not feasible within jail premises.

The government, however, has rejected these claims. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused the opposition of spreading exaggerated claims and politicizing Khan's eye condition.

"Reports claiming that the PTI founder had lost 85 percent of his eyesight or completely lost vision in one eye were part of a propaganda campaign," Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that "significant improvement" has been reported in Khan's eye condition. He said an injection would be administered, followed by another after one month, and that Khan's family had been "taken into confidence at every stage".

A medical board examination on February 16 recorded Khan's vision in the right eye without glasses at 6/24 partial, with improvement to 6/9 partial with corrective glasses.

- Family says government is hiding something 

Despite official assurances, Khan's family remains deeply skeptical.

Aleema Khan, Imran Khan's sister, has rejected the government's medical reports, stating that the family cannot trust authorities who "already deprived him of one eye sight" and are now "falsely claiming that they provide treatment."

She alleged that jail authorities have refused to share blood test results with Khan, nor have they provided them to his personal doctors or family members. "The government is hiding something from the family," Aleema Khan said.

The family has insisted that any treatment should be conducted in the presence of Khan's personal physicians and family members.

- Bail petitions and judicial questions 

Khan's legal team has approached the Islamabad High Court seeking suspension of his sentence in the Toshakhana-2 (Bulgari jewellery) case on medical grounds.

The petition, filed under Section 426 of the Criminal Procedure Code, seeks his release on bail pending a final decision on his criminal appeal. It argues that awarding sentences under two separate laws for a single allegation constitutes double jeopardy and violates legal principles.

Khan's supporters and family accuse the judiciary of failing to provide justice due to government pressure, particularly after the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments, which they say have compromised judicial independence by allowing the government a key role in the appointment and transfer of judges.

According to Khan's lawyers, approximately 200 "fake and political cases" have been registered against him, with some resulting in convictions they describe as politically motivated.

Bail cases pending in the Islamabad High Court have not been fixed for hearing, which his family attributes to the chief justice's reluctance to take up the matter.

The health controversy has sparked widespread protests across Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is in power.

Thousands of supporters blocked the main motorway connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab and Islamabad for several days. The blockade caused severe disruptions to public movement and essential supplies.

A writ petition was filed in the Peshawar High Court challenging the blockades as unconstitutional and a violation of citizens' fundamental rights. The petition highlighted a tragic incident where a patient reportedly died in an ambulance due to delays caused by the blockade.

The Peshawar High Court subsequently ordered authorities to restore traffic flow and maintain order.

- PTI announces formation of new 'force.'

In a significant escalation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced the formation of an "Imran Khan Release Force" to campaign for the former prime minister's release.

"The Free Imran Khan Force will wage a completely peaceful struggle. After his release, Imran Khan will himself dissolve the force," Afridi said while speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court.

He said membership cards would be ready within four to five days, and youth from Peshawar would take oaths after Eid-ul-Fitr. The force will include members of PTI, the Insaf Students Federation, and the party's women's wing, and will operate under a clear chain of command.

Afridi announced that after Ramadan, they will launch a countrywide movement to secure Khan's release.

The announcement, however, has exposed divisions within PTI. Party Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said he first learned about the proposal when Afridi announced it publicly, stressing that such a force would require approval from the party's Political Committee.

Five senior PTI leaders imprisoned in Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore - including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Dr. Yasmin Rashid - called for pausing all protest activities during Ramadan and focusing on parliamentary politics and legal action.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Afridi's force is "unconstitutional and illegal," stating that no one except the federal government has the right to create such a force.

Political analysts suggest that PTI's ability to pressure the government hinges on its capacity to mobilize mass protests.

"PTI should do homework across the country and make a strategy and then come in the field with plans A, B, and C," Abdul Saboor, a political analyst, said. "If they could not bring out one million people and block the capital city, Islamabad, completely, they would not be able to pressure the government to release Khan".

Analysts say the party will likely focus on Punjab province, where Maryam Nawaz of the Sharif family is chief minister, aiming to paralyze that province to maximize pressure.

Most young people are expected to join the Imran Khan release force movement, making it potentially difficult for the government to control the situation.

"If they succeed in blocking the capital city and put the government to the test, then they would compel them to release Khan," the analyst added.

As Muslims around the world observe Ramadan -- a month of reflection, mercy, and solidarity -- the plight of Imran Khan has become a flashpoint in Pakistan's volatile political landscape.

For the cricket legends who shared the field with him, the issue transcends politics. "Cricket has long been a bridge between nations," the former captains' statement read. "Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn -- and respect endures. Imran Khan embodied that spirit throughout his career".

The government maintains that Khan is receiving appropriate medical care and that his family has been kept informed. But with his sister alleging a cover-up, his bail petitions stalled in court, and a new protest movement being organized, the coming weeks may prove decisive.

Sunil Gavaskar's words capture the sentiment of millions who remember Khan the cricketer, before Khan the politician. "He is a hero in Pakistan. He's put Pakistan's name on the world map with his exploits on the field. So clearly, I think he deserves a lot of human treatment."

Whether humanitarian considerations will prevail over political calculations remains an open question -- one that will determine not just the fate of one man, but the stability of a nation already grappling with economic crisis and deepening polarization.

Khan has challenged the powerful military establishment. Analysts note that the two major political parties -- the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) -- are currently allied and in power at the center, as well as in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan provinces. Both enjoy good relations with the military establishment and are apparently pushing it to keep Khan in jail, as his popularity has already weakened the voter base of both parties.

Political analysts say that although Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidates performed strongly in the 2024 general election, rival parties ultimately succeeded in forming a coalition government. PTI has accused its opponents of manipulating the results through the Election Commission of Pakistan, alleging that seats won by its candidates were reassigned in order to sideline the party.

According to PTI’s claims, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) secured far fewer seats than it was officially allocated. PTI leaders have publicly asserted that PML-N won only 17 seats, but that authorities increased its tally after the vote count and awarded more than 100 seats. 

PTI has also alleged that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), now part of the ruling alliance in Islamabad, did not win any seats outright in Karachi and was instead awarded 17 constituencies that PTI claims belonged to its own candidates or, in some cases, to Jamaat-e-Islami.

More broadly, PTI contends that a significant number of seats attributed to PML-N, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), MQM, and the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) were the result of altered results rather than actual victories at the ballot box.

The Election Commission has strongly rejected these allegations, stating that the election process was conducted in accordance with constitutional and legal requirements. However, to date, no independent investigation has been carried out, nor have international observers been formally mandated to examine PTI’s claims, leaving the dispute unresolved in Pakistan’s polarized political environment

Reporting by The South Asia Times correspondents in New Delhi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Lahore