March 24, 2002	Sunday	Muharram 9, 1423

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LAHORE, March 23: The squash wizard Jahangir Khan said on Saturday  that he would file a writ petition in Sindh  High Court against PIA for terminating his service without any reason.

Addressing a crowded press conference at the Fortress Stadium, the winner of 800 international matches and the former world champion, Jahangir said that the PIA management opted to an insulting way in terminating his service along with two other stars Jansher Khan and Zaheer Abbas.

Jahangir hoped that Zaheer Abbas and Jansher Khan would follow suit.

Jahangir emphasised that he was awarded the Pride of Performance and commemorative postage stamps were issued in his name by the Pakistan Postal Office, but the way he was ousted from PIA was not at par with the pride and dignity the country had bestowed upon him.

He alleged that the PIA had 250 sportspersons but terminated only three in the name of so called down-sizing. He pointed out that the PIA management was still offering employment to cricketers, hockey and polo players.

He said that ironically the squash court titled with his name was being supervised by a footballer.

To a question he said that the services of the current general manager PIA Sports Col (retd.) Mudassar Asghar, who was offered a contract in 1993, had been confirmed. However, he added he would not speak against this matter.

Speaking on the subject of squash in the country Jahangir pointed out that the present decline of squash in the country could have been averted if academies had been set up 15 years back, and went on to praise the efforts of the Pakistan Squash Federation for taking good steps in this direction.

He particularly mentioned the holding of Pakistan Open in Lahore as a major step in the promotion of the game.

He said that it was his dream to play in Lahore.

On coaching standards Jahangir stated that better coaching opportunities were available in Australia and that was the reason good players were coming from that country.

Jahangir claimed that he had not received an offer to start coaching in Pakistan. However, he said that he would set up his own academy in the near future.