KARACHI : Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day here on Thursday announced the annual PPF-Aslam Ali Press Freedom Award-2012 for slain journalist Saleem Shahzad, who was murdered in May 2011. Adviser to Sindh CM, Sharmila Faroouqi, and MQM’s Ashfaq Mangi gave the award and a cheque of Rs 0.1 million to his widow, Anita Saleem Shahzad.

 widow of the slain journalist. Children of Saleem Shahzad were also present. Earlier, a discussion programme on the importance of freedom of the Press and challenges being faced by journalists in Pakistan particularly in conflict areas was held at PPF-Vicky Zeitlin Media Library, in connection with the World Press Freedom Day. The speakers showed grave concern over growing security problems for journalists in Pakistan. They said there is also need of in-house training programmes for journalists to raise their professional capacities and make them aware about the risks of working in dangerous and conflict areas.