Beirut, Dec 16 : Najaam Sethi, Editor-in-Chief of Friday Times and Daily Times in Pakistan, has been awarded the 2009 Golden Pen of Freedom, the annual press freedom prize of the World Association of Newspapers.

Sethi, whose newspapers advocate liberal and secular ideas in Pakistan, too-often torn by religious extremism, was honoured for his outstanding defence and promotion of press freedom under difficult circumstances and constant personal danger, the Daily Times reported.

He "was honoured for his outstanding defence and promotion of press freedom under difficult circumstances and constant personal danger," WAN said, adding his newspapers advocate progressive ideas in the face of religious extremism.

"His commitment to providing truthful and independent coverage in this region, despite great personal danger and sacrifice, is in the best traditions of journalism."

"We think the award will inspire others to resist such pressure," said the Board of the Paris-based WAN, meeting in Beirut, Lebanon.

The award to Najam Sethi will be presented at the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum, the global summit meetings of the world's press, to be held from
22 to 25 March, 2009. (ANI)