December 22, 2003	Monday	Shawwal 27, 1424

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LAHORE, Dec 21: Despite the fact that the sport of squash is fast dying in Pakistan in particular the final of the World Open was marred by over-zealous security officials.

The VIP culture is so prevalent throughout the country, a bitter taste of which sports scribes got at Sunday‘s final. One wonders why the top government officials come to the final of sporting events and if even if they do they must ensure that the journalists and the spectators do not suffer at their expense.

Nowhere in the world journalists face so many hazards than in Pakistan. Once the accreditation cards were given to the sports journalists after clearance from dozens of government security agencies why was it necessary to obtain new passes from the ISPR or the Press Information Department (PID).

The overflowing security staff blocked the road from two miles to the venue, depriving hundreds of fans to reach venue. Wanting to please their bosses the security officials did their best to harass the journalists and asked them to surrender their laptops and mobiles.

It was only after the intervention of Pakistan Squash Federation secretary Sajid Waheed that journalists were allowed to carry their laptops.

Last year’s Pakistan Open was also marred by security officials who did not allow the journalists to carry inside the venue their laptops and photographers were stopped from taking their cameras, as a result of which the winner Jonathan Power’s picture with the trophy could not be released.

The imposing World Open venue at the old and now abandoned Lahore airport was well decorated but president’s security officials spoiled a very well-organized final. No journalist was allowed to leave the arena and enter the media box until President’s caravan left, leaving them frustrated.