Hyderabad, February 18 – Former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin has appealed for Imran Khan, the former Pakistani Prime Minister, to be treated with respect.
Azharuddin, who is a minister for minority welfare in the Telangana government, posted on ‘X’ on Tuesday to express his support for Imran Khan, who led Pakistan's team to victory in the 1992 World Cup and is currently in jail.
"I am deeply saddened to hear about Imran bhai. Cricket has given us many shared moments, and as a fellow sportsman who has benefited from his guidance, I sincerely appeal that he be treated with respect. I pray for his good health and strength for his family," Azharuddin wrote.
Azharuddin's appeal for Imran Khan to be treated with respect came hours after 14 former international captains signed a petition urging the Pakistani government and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure that Imran Khan receives proper medical care.
They also urged the Pakistani government to ensure that Imran Khan receives proper legal representation.
This comes amid reports about the 73-year-old's declining health in jail.
The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has been co-signed by Greg Chappell, Belinda Clark, Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Ian Chappell, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Clive Lloyd, Steve Waugh, and John Wright.
Imran Khan is reportedly blind in one eye, having lost 85% of his vision. His family and supporters have claimed they were denied the right to visit him in jail.
Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been in jail since August 2023, following their removal from power in 2022.
He is facing several corruption charges and is currently serving a 31-year sentence following the latest verdict in December 2025.
