For Bugti, Pak writer rejects award

Islamabad (Pakistan): Pakistani columnist and strategic analyst Nasim Zehra has declined to accept Sitara-i-Imtiaz medal awarded to her by Pakistan Government in protest against the recent killing of rebel tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti in an Army operation.

Zehra returned the award for which she had been nominated by President Pervez Musharraf on the Independence Day of Pakistan on August 14, to protest the "state's proclivity to opt for the use of force to settle complex political problems," Dawn reported.

Zehra who was currently working on a book on the India-Pakistan relations writes a column in The News daily about Pakistan's strategic perceptions.