Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan is reportedly in near-virtual solitary confinement and facing health issues in prison, according to recent media reports. The cricketer-turned-politician has allegedly developed an eye infection which, his legal team claims, has resulted in severe vision loss and raised fresh concerns about his overall condition.
Reacting to the reports, former Pakistan fast bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis appealed to authorities to ensure that Khan receives proper medical attention while in custody.
“It is heartbreaking to hear our skipper Imran Khan going through health issues,” Wasim wrote on X (formerly Twitter), where he has often acknowledged Khan as the biggest influence on his career. “I sincerely hope the authorities take this seriously and ensure he receives the best possible medical care. Wishing him strength, a speedy recovery, and a full return to good health.”
Wasim, who was identified and nurtured by Imran early in his career, flourished under his leadership to become one of the world’s premier fast bowlers. The left-armer played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s triumph at the 1992 Cricket World Cup, a campaign led by Khan that remains one of the most iconic moments in the country’s sporting history.
In a separate message, Wasim added: “Putting politics aside, our national hero who gave us our greatest glory on the sporting field, and built a cancer hospital that helped so many — including my own mother — is facing a health emergency and requires urgent treatment. I humbly request the concerned authorities to ensure he gets appropriate care in time. Get well soon, skipper.”
Imran Khan was arrested in August 2023 and has since been handed multiple prison sentences on various charges — cases that he and his supporters describe as politically motivated.
Former captain Shahid Afridi also stated that access to medical care is a basic right and should be guaranteed. Another ex-skipper, Ramiz Raja, expressed hope that “humanity prevails,” adding that reports of Khan losing vision in one eye were deeply emotional and concerning.
As concerns grow, several former teammates and admirers have called for urgent medical attention, stressing that health and humanitarian considerations should remain above political differences.
