A group of cricket captains have issued an open letter calling for the Pakistani government to provide “immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention” to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who they say has lost 85% of the vision in his right eye while in detention.
The letter, details of which were reported by The Independent, expresses serious concern over Khan’s deteriorating health. His lawyer has stated the vision loss occurred while Khan is incarcerated, prompting the appeal for medical intervention.
Khan, who led Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, was removed from office in April 2022 following a vote of no confidence. His removal, as reported by Britannica, marked the first time a Pakistani prime minister had been ousted through a parliamentary vote. He has since faced a series of legal challenges, including cases related to the Al-Qadir Trust and the Toshakhana gift repository, and has been the focus of widespread protests by his supporters.
The former prime minister’s government, which began in August 2018 following elections that brought the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to power, navigated a period of significant economic difficulty, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to information published by Insaf.pk. The PTI government initiated programs such as Ehsaas and Kamyab Jawan, aimed at poverty alleviation and youth employment.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered a medical team to examine the claims of Khan’s partial vision loss, according to The Independent report. The court’s intervention underscores the gravity of the situation and the growing calls for transparency regarding Khan’s health while in custody.
As of February 17, 2026, the outcome of the medical examination ordered by the Supreme Court remains pending.
