On UN International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (2nd November), 12 streets of Paris has been renamed on the name of 12 murdered journalists. According to the media reports, one street out of these 12 has been also named on famous Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad. France based international organization of journalists; Reporters Without Borders (RSB) has taken this initiative to pay tribute to all the journalists around the world who have sacrificed their life in this field. Higher authorities of France have said that Pakistani Embassy is located on the same street which has been named on Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad.
Popular Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad was murdered after kidnapping in Islamabad on 29th of May 2011. The Government of France has issued notification to rename these streets and the official ceremony will be held on 11th of November, in Paris. Authorities of Pakistani Embassy in France and French authorities will also take part in this event.
“The cases of impunity that we are presenting are terrible symbols of passivity or deliberate inaction on the part of certain governments,” Secretary-General of Reporters Without Borders, Christophe Deloire said.
It is to be noted that Reporters Without Borders and Pakistani authorities are also trying to rename one street of Paris on the name of Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar.