“ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Roll Michael Jordan and Babe Ruth into one, throw in an Oxford education and a beautiful British aristocrat as an ex-wife and you get an idea of how big Imran Khan was as captain of Pakistan’s world champion cricket team in 1992.

He’s rarely made news as a politician — a rival once called him a sports hero and a political zero. But Khan was back in the spotlight Monday, beginning a hunger strike at the prison where he is being held for protesting against Pakistan’s military ruler.”

More by Michael Rosenberg at AP.

And from Pakistan Film Festival.com,  a request:

 Dear All, 

This is somehow emblematic of the depths to which the current outfit
has sunk. This, below, is the message I sent in support of Bradford
University's campaign, initiated today to have its chancellor, Imran Khan, the ex-cricket icon,
freed. He has been jailed under so-called anti-terrorism legislation! What a sick joke.

I am incandescent with rage that Imran Khan has been subjected to
such immoral, shameful and illegal treatment. When a country locks up
its heroes, the self-appointed rulers of that country are headed for ruin. I am a board director of Heer Productions, which over the past few years has been running
the brave and challenging Pakistani Film, Media and Arts Festival in
Scotland. In that role and in my work as a writer I utterly condemn the
imposition of de facto Martial Law. I add my voice to my colleagues in
Pakistan and abroad in demanding restoration of the constitution and
that release of Imran Khan and all the other imprisoned judges, lawyers and
human rights activists.

Check out this website now to add your support to the University of
 Bradford's petition and thence the people of Pakistan:

www.bradford.ac.uk/chancellor/

Best wishes,

Suhayl
www.suhaylsaadi.com
www.pakistanifilmfest.com