Brian Lara backs Imran Khan, seeks proper medical care

Former West Indies batting great Brian Lara has expressed support for former Pakistan captain and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, calling for him to receive proper and independent medical care while in prison.

Lara made the remarks in a post on his official Instagram account. He said he had met Imran Khan only a few times on the cricket field, but the respect he developed for the former Pakistan captain was immediate and lasting.

The former West Indies star said he found it difficult to understand how someone who had once been a source of hope and inspiration for Pakistan could now be in a situation where he was allegedly not receiving the compassion and dignity he deserved.

Lara said he supported calls from former international cricket captains for Khan to receive appropriate medical treatment.

“I stand with my fellow former captains in asking that he receive proper, independent medical care and the dignity every human being deserves,” Lara said.

He also clarified that his appeal was not linked to politics. According to Lara, his concern was based on basic human considerations and his respect for Khan as a cricketing legend.

The statement comes after a group of former international cricket captains renewed their appeal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding medical treatment for the incarcerated former Pakistan captain.

The issue of Khan’s medical care has also reached the Supreme Court. On August 18, a three-member bench directed authorities at Adiala jail to move the 73-year-old PTI founder to Shifa Hospital for medical assessment and treatment within two days.

Khan was instead taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

Tarar said Khan underwent a detailed medical examination in the presence of his sister and personal doctors. He said the medical team included specialists in cardiology, ophthalmology and general medicine and declared Khan medically fit.

Following the decision to take Khan to PIMS instead of the hospital specified in the court order, PTI approached the Supreme Court with a contempt petition. The party alleged that the court’s directions regarding the former prime minister’s medical treatment had not been followed.

Khan has remained incarcerated since August 2023 after being convicted in several cases. He has repeatedly described the cases against him as politically motivated.