Pakistani investigative reporter Syed Saleem Shahzad has been posthumously awarded an Italian journalism prize after he was abducted and killed by unknown assassins in Pakistan last month, said message received here on Sunday.
Italy's Ischia Prize Foundation granted Shahzad its International Journalism Award in a unanimous decision by the jury. The annual prize honours excellence in journalism and communication. Shahzad was Pakistan correspondent for the Italian news agency Adnkronos International (AKI) and the Hong-Kong based Asia Times Online as well as Italian daily La Stampa, it said.
Enquiring and enthusiastic, he did in-depth reporting in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where he interviewed various Jihadist commanders, as well as in Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan, Iran, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.
He was kidnapped by Taliban militants in Afghanistan's Helmand province on November 26, 2006 together with another Pakistani journalist, held for a week and subjected to a mock trial before being released near the Pakistan border.
He leaves a widow and three children aged 7, 10 and 13.
Shahzad's widow Anita will collect the award. The award ceremony will be held in Ischia, Italy, on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th of July.
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