February 01, 2008

Shahzeb Jillani ‘94

2007
Shahzeb Jillani has established a reputation as a versatile journalist through his international reporting on issues ranging from the environment to politics. As a student, Jillani, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs, was a resident assistant, leader in student government, member of student media groups, and participant in the international student speakers’ bureau.

Shahzeb Jillani has established a reputation as a versatile journalist through his international reporting on issues ranging from the environment to politics. As a student, Jillani, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs, was a resident assistant, leader in student government, member of student media groups, and participant in the international student speakers’ bureau.

Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, Jillani returned there after graduation to work in politics. He simultaneously began his career as a journalist by freelancing as a reporter, writing columns and articles on politics, the environment, and the economy. In 1997 he joined Pakistan’s largest daily English-language newspaper full time, covering pressing environmental issues. He next worked at Pakistan’s premier news magazine, the Monthly Herald, where he continued to cover the environment, but also began to report on issues like human rights abuses and the rise of Islamic militancy.

In June 2001, Jillani joined BBC World Service as a producer in London. After a series of promotions, he became the radio editor of BBC Urdu, a position in which he manages a team of reporters and producers to bring the news to more than 13 million people worldwide. He still covers significant current events, now on an even larger scope. From June 2006 to June 2007 he worked as the BBC’s South Asia correspondent in Washington, D.C., and at the same time traveled to Brazil, Venezuela, and Cuba on reporting assignments.