Former Pakistan Captain Ramiz Raja Opens Up About Imran Khan’s Life Behind Bars
NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and national captain Ramiz Raja has provided a rare, personal insight into the current living conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, noting that the legendary cricketer is maintaining his trademark resilience despite enduring three years of incarceration.
Raja, who was appointed as the PCB chief during Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister, shared these observations during a recent episode of the ‘Stick to Cricket’ podcast. Joined by former England captains Alastair Cook and broadcaster David Lloyd, the conversation quickly shifted from cricket administration to the well-being of the 1992 World Cup-winning leader.
When asked by Lloyd about the circumstances surrounding the 73-year-old’s imprisonment, Raja confirmed that Khan remains in isolation. “He is in isolation. He’s got a lot of fans, but it’s just that the poor guy has been behind bars for three years now. It’s been a tough one for him,” Raja stated.
Addressing concerns regarding Khan’s physical health, Raja noted that while there have been minor medical scares, including a recent issue involving his eye, Khan’s mental fortitude remains unbroken. “Just a week back, there was some problem with his eye that seems to have been sorted, but otherwise, he’s holding up. I mean, he’s got a solid temperament, as we all know,” he added.
International Outcry for Medical Care
Raja’s remarks come at a time of growing international concern over the treatment of the former leader. A collective of 21 legendary cricketers from nine nations—including icons such as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Adam Gilchrist, and Steve Waugh—have formally written to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The group, spearheaded by former Australian captain Greg Chappell, is urging the Pakistani government to ensure that the medical directives issued by the Supreme Court are fully implemented. The signatories emphasized that they are not seeking to influence domestic legal processes, but are strictly advocating for the “basic decency” of healthcare and humane treatment.
The former captains have outlined three specific demands in their appeal to the Pakistani government:
- Independent Medical Assessment: That a court-directed medical board, including Khan’s personal physicians, be allowed to conduct a comprehensive health evaluation, particularly concerning his reported vision loss.
- Restoration of Family Visits: That weekly family visits, as mandated by the courts, are honored without administrative interference.
- Prompt Treatment: That any medical interventions recommended by the board be provided without delay.
In their plea, the signatories underscored that these requests are not controversial but are rooted in the fundamental values of the sport. “Whatever the legal and political arguments surrounding his case, the basic decency of ensuring a court-ordered medical process is actually completed is not, in our view, a controversial request,” the letter stated.
As the legal saga continues, the global cricketing community remains focused on the poor guy has been behind bars for three years, hoping that the former hero of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup triumph is granted the dignity and care that his status and age warrant.
