KARACHI: A cohort of Pakistani journalists has been recognised with an award for Excellence in Journalism by the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA), often regarded as the Asian equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize.

The recipients include senior journalists Lehaz Ali and Ashraf Khan, associated with the Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Pakistan, for their coverage of the Afghan refugees’ deportation from Pakistan, along with AFP’s Pakistan and Afghanistan team.

The SOPA Awards, established in 1999, celebrate editorial excellence in both traditional and new media, and are a benchmark for quality journalism in the Asia-Pacific region.

“This recognition underscores the importance of telling complex stories with depth and humanity,” former AFP journalist Ashraf Khan said in a statement. “It’s a testament to the collaborative efforts of our team in shedding light on critical issues affecting the region.”

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2024