Ganguly Joins Global Push: Former Captains Demand Dignity for Jailed Imran Khan
Former BCCI President and India captain Sourav Ganguly has publicly supported a global initiative led by 14 legendary cricketers urging the Pakistan government to ensure humane treatment for Imran Khan. The 1992 World Cup-winning captain and former Prime Minister of Pakistan remains incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, facing deteriorating health conditions.
Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Ganguly endorsed the joint appeal initiated by former Australian captain Greg Chappell. The petition, addressed to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calls for immediate medical intervention and improved prison standards for the 72-year-old.
“They have done the right thing. So, I’m sure Imran Khan must be looked after and respected,” Ganguly stated, emphasizing the stature Khan holds within the international sporting community.
The Chappell-Led Petition
The movement began when Greg Chappell drafted a letter citing “profound concern” regarding reports of Khan’s failing health. The correspondence highlights the unifying power of cricket and argues that political differences should not preclude fundamental human rights and dignity for a figure of Khan’s historical significance.
The signatories include captains from five Test-playing nations, representing some of the most influential voices in cricket history. Notable Indian signatories include Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. Gavaskar, a long-time rival and friend of Khan, described the current situation as “terrible.”
List of Signatories
The 14 former international captains supporting the appeal include:
- Australia: Greg Chappell (Initiator), Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes
- India: Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev
- England: Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley, David Gower
- West Indies: Clive Lloyd
- New Zealand: John Wright
Health Concerns at Adiala Jail
Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 following convictions on multiple corruption charges, amounting to a cumulative sentence of 31 years. His legal team and supporters allege that he is being denied access to independent medical specialists and regular family visits.
Specific health alarms raised in the petition include:
- Vision Loss: Reports suggest Khan has lost approximately 85% of vision in his right eye.
- Isolation: Restricted access to family, legal counsel, and personal physicians.
- Conditions: Concerns over the general sanitation and facilities provided to a former head of state.
The letter explicitly requests that Khan be granted medical care from doctors of his choosing and that his legal proceedings be conducted without delay. The former captains stressed that upholding principles of decency and justice is paramount, regardless of the political landscape.
Khan’s incarceration continues to be a focal point of political tension in Pakistan, but this intervention marks a rare instance of the global cricket fraternity uniting to advocate for a former peer’s welfare on humanitarian grounds.
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