Brian Lara Backs Appeal for Imran Khan’s Treatment

ISLAMABAD: (Sports Desk) – West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara has joined an international appeal calling for proper medical care and dignified treatment for former Pakistan captain and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In a statement shared on his official Instagram account, Lara said Khan should have access to independent medical treatment and receive the dignity afforded to every human being.

Lara recalled his limited encounters with Khan on the cricket field, saying his admiration for the 1992 World Cup-winning captain was immediate and enduring. He questioned how a player who once represented hope and inspiration for millions in Pakistan could now be facing circumstances in which, he believes, adequate compassion and dignity are lacking.

The former West Indies batter said he stood alongside former international captains and cricketers calling for independent medical facilities for Khan. Lara emphasized that his appeal was not political, but rooted in humanitarian concerns for a fellow cricket great.

The statement follows an appeal last month by 22 international cricketers, including 21 former captains, who wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeking appropriate medical treatment for Khan in line with recent Supreme Court directions.

The signatories reportedly included Michael Atherton, Alex Blackwell, Allan Border, Mike Brearley and Greg Chappell, among other former international players.

Khan has remained incarcerated since August 2023 and has received convictions in several cases. He and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have maintained that the cases against him are politically motivated.

Concerns about Khan’s health have intensified in recent months, particularly over a problem affecting his right eye. The condition was reportedly identified as right central retinal vein occlusion, and disagreements have continued between the PTI and authorities over his medical treatment.

The Supreme Court on August 18 directed the government to move Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board. However, he was subsequently taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), according to reports.

It was later reported that a recommended CT angiography (CTA) could not be performed at PIMS because the necessary facilities were unavailable.