As It promised, it was the greatest and biggest event Pakistani rock music has ever staged; bigger than the Aga Khan University Battle of the Bands, bigger than the Rock v Rock Battle of the Bands. It made Pakistani musical history and secured a lucrative contract to one band.

The line-up of rock bands that have made it to the final Pepsi Battle of the Bands spectacular is extraordinary and unprecedented and almost certainly, will never be brought together again.

A diverse array of names from jazz, blues and rock came under the eye of Rohail Hyatt, Shahzad Hasan and Fahimeh Fifi Haroon.

The audience was provided with the fantastic opportunity to make history and to show their support for the bands by rocking their votes at www.pepsichill.com/bob

There's no doubt it's been the longest, most nailbiting music event in Pakistani music history, but there is always a final hour of an event, upon which the concentration lasts, as the unremitting tension of the series came to a head on, when EP and Aaroh battle at the Karachi DHA Golf Club on July 29th, 2002.

"Irtiqa, as the album is aptly called, is possibly the best debut album ever released in Pakistan (beating out noori's Suno Ke Main Hoon Jawan and Junoon's eponymous first album.) Furthermore in its ambition, vision and execution Irtiqa is probably one of the best albums released hereabouts (alongside Aitebar (Vital Signs), SKMHJ (noori), Parvaaz (Junoon) and Strings II (Strings).)"
THE NEWS

IRTIQA – EP’s debut album, Released on 11th October 2003. The concept of Irtiqa is woven around, for those who may or may not be aware of, the advancement of an individual from the womb to the grave. The first half of the life representing the pure oxygen that though seems like the perfect solution has no balance in the nurturing of an individual. Conditioning to circumstances under unapparent coercion is only an application of despotism. Irtiqa launches the attack of an individual acquiring perception. Everyone experiences frustration when faced with an imposition on one’s own will. For those who don’t realize this, continue to be eaten by the disease that they perceive to be a perfect life. Side b of the album; to put it quite simply, the only retaliation to exploitation and deception is rebellion and that is what the path has been adopted by the individual in the second half of the album. May this be of a religious nature, media, fakeness or whatever so.

IM, the First Pakistani Music channel has brought about a revolution in the Music Industry of Pakistan by bringing music videos to an entirely new and happening platform to its audience in 62 countries; A platform that has not only made Pakistani music cool, but has amazed the world with its magical potential and unique flavor.

IM has become the property and the "Voice of the youth". The youth identifies with IM. They now have a source of pride in themselves and their culture. IM is heaven for our youth where they connect with the most essential parts of themselves, their spirit and identity.

Indus Music, in keeping with its tradition of innovation and excellence, brought another first to the Pakistani entertainment industry – the country’s first authentic and complete music awards, to honor and recognize outstanding individual achievement in the Pakistani music scenario. The “Jazz IM Awards” show was the most anticipated and long-awaited event ever since the inception of Pakistan’s first 24-hour music channel, Indus Music. The channel’s contribution in elevating the standard of Pakistani music industry is widely recognized and appreciated, and in the same vein, the “Jazz IM Awards” honored the highest standard of achievement in different categories of music presentation.

In this respect EP was nominated for the Best Alternative Track Category. The category included Pakistan’s top bands. The nominations for the category were:

1. "Aghosh" – E.P.
2. "Rabba" – Mikaal Hassan Band
3. "Kehdo" – Dr. Aur Billa
4. "Khwaahish" – Rushq
5. "Izhaar" – Mizraab
6. "Jaane Kyaa Hai" – Ali Abbas

The award was announced in favor of EP, Thus EP winning the Best Alternative Track Category.