Former India captain Kapil Dev has urged Pakistan authorities to ensure proper medical care and humane conditions for jailed former Pakistan prime minister and captain Imran Khan.
Kapil's remarks come after a group of 22 former international cricket captains wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for court-ordered medical treatment and family visits for Khan to be implemented without further delays.
Speaking to NDTV during the announcement of the Race to DP World India Championship, Kapil said the appeal was about Khan's treatment in prison and not about the legal cases against him.
Kapil Dev Makes Appeal For Imran Khan
Kapil said authorities should ensure that Khan receives appropriate medical treatment and that the conditions at the facility where he is being held meet acceptable standards.
"Law is a law for everybody," Kapil said, while stressing that the former Pakistan prime minister should receive proper medical facilities while in custody.
He added that the cricket fraternity's appeal was simply for Khan to be treated better, regardless of the legal proceedings against him.
"As a cricket fellow, we can ask Pakistan and request them, give him a better treatment. Law will take their time, but you can give them a better treatment," Kapil said.
22 Former Captains Seek Independent Medical Assessment
The group of former international captains has called for an independent medical assessment by the medical board ordered by Pakistan's Supreme Court.
The appeal also seeks the inclusion of Khan's personal physicians in the assessment. The signatories have specifically raised concerns over reports that Khan has suffered a loss of vision in his right eye.
The letter further calls for the restoration of weekly family visits, which have reportedly been mandated by the court but have faced administrative delays and interruptions.
The former captains have also urged Pakistani authorities to ensure that any treatment recommended by the independent medical board is provided to Khan without delay.
Kapil Says Appeal Is Not About Khan's Legal Cases
Kapil made it clear that the former cricketers were not seeking to comment on the legal matters involving Khan.
"We are only concerned about that, not concerned about what he has done wrong or right," he said, reiterating that their intervention was focused on his health and basic conditions of treatment.
The appeal was initiated by former Australia captain Greg Chappell and marks the second such intervention by international cricket figures seeking action from the Pakistani government in the past six months.
Gavaskar, Gavaskar Among Former Captains Backing Appeal
The appeal has received support from several prominent former international captains.
Former India captains Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar are among the Indian signatories. Other notable names supporting the appeal include West Indies great Clive Lloyd, former England captain Alastair Cook and former Australia captain Allan Border.
The signatories have described their intervention as non-political, saying it stems from their shared connection through cricket and concerns over humane treatment.
Kapil's latest comments add another prominent voice to the appeal, with the former India captain urging authorities to separate Khan's legal proceedings from his right to receive appropriate medical care while in custody.
