The 2026 elections of the National Press Club (NPC) Islamabad have reshaped the political landscape of Pakistan’s most influential journalists’ body. In a dramatic turn of events, the Democrats Panel achieved a historic victory, defeating the long-dominant Journalist Panel, which had effectively ruled the club’s politics for nearly two decades.
The election results confirmed a major shift in the mood of the journalist community, as candidates backed by the Democrats Panel captured several key positions, including President, Secretary, Vice President, and Joint Secretary, marking one of the most significant political changes in the history of the National Press Club.
For many observers, the outcome represents a democratic transition within the media fraternity and a clear message from journalists demanding change, transparency, and reform.
A Historic Victory for Abdul Razzaq Sial as President
One of the most closely watched contests of the election was the race for the President of the National Press Club.
The Democrats Panel candidate Abdul Razzaq Sial secured victory with 1067 votes, defeating Nayyer Ali, who received 1052 votes.
The narrow margin highlighted the intensity of the contest and reflected the deep political divide between the two major groups within the press club.
Abdul Razzaq Sial’s victory is widely viewed as symbolic of the broader success of the Democrats Panel, ending the long-standing leadership dominance associated with the Journalist Panel.
His election as president represents a major milestone for the reformist camp within the journalist community.
Dr. Furqan Rao Wins Key Secretary Seat
Perhaps the most discussed result of the election was the victory of Dr. Furqan Rao, who secured the Secretary seat with 1025 votes. His main opponent Khalid Mahmood received 998 votes, while Fida Sherazi obtained 89 votes.
Dr. Rao’s victory was widely celebrated among supporters who viewed it as a breakthrough against entrenched political structures within the press club.
A PhD in Journalism from one of the world’s top universities, Dr. Rao has built a reputation as a senior journalist specializing in international affairs and an advocate for journalists’ rights.
His supporters believe his academic background and professional experience will help introduce reforms, improve governance, and strengthen welfare initiatives for journalists.
Many colleagues also emphasize his dedication and persistence, noting that once he commits to a goal, he pursues it with determination until success is achieved.
Vice President Seats: Democrats Panel Secures Majority
Another significant outcome of the elections was seen in the race for Vice President seats, where the Democrats Panel achieved notable success.
Ihtesham-ul-Haq emerged as the top candidate with 1202 votes, securing one of the vice president positions.
Alongside him:
-
Bashir Chaudhry received 1076 votes
-
Usman Khan secured 1015 votes
Among the three vice-president seats, two were won by candidates from the Democrats Panel, giving the reformist group strong representation within the club’s leadership structure.
Other candidates included:
-
Asad Toor – 974 votes
-
Shah Muhammad – 865 votes
-
Khizar Malik – 808 votes
The results confirmed that journalists were willing to support new leadership across multiple positions, not just in a single contest.
Joint Secretary: Shiraz Gardezi Wins with Large Margin
The Democrats Panel also celebrated victory in the Joint Secretary position, where Shiraz Gardezi secured a commanding 1228 votes.
His strong performance further reinforced the Democrats Panel’s success in the elections and demonstrated widespread support among voters for a fresh leadership team within the National Press Club.
Dramatic Vote Counting and Delayed Results
Despite the excitement surrounding the elections, the vote counting process attracted attention due to significant delays.
Polling had begun at 10 AM and continued until 10 PM, with thousands of journalists casting their votes throughout the day.
However, after polling concluded, the counting process moved unusually slowly.
Even after more than eleven hours of counting, around 2,200 votes were still being processed, raising concerns and speculation among journalists.
Many media professionals pointed out the irony that journalists often analyze national elections within hours, yet their own institutional election appeared to struggle with counting a relatively small number of ballots.
Eventually, after a long night of anticipation, the Election Committee announced the final results, bringing the suspense to an end.
A Major Setback for the Journalist Panel
The results represent a serious political setback for the Journalist Panel, which had dominated the National Press Club elections for almost twenty years.
Led by prominent figures including Afzal Butt, the Journalist Panel had maintained strong influence over the club’s leadership and decision-making structures.
For decades, the group was widely seen as the most powerful political bloc within the NPC.
The 2026 elections, however, indicate that the journalist community is ready for change and more open to reform-oriented leadership.
Democrats Panel to Start A New Era for the National Press Club
With Abdul Razzaq Sial as President, Dr. Furqan Rao as Secretary, and key victories in the Vice President and Joint Secretary positions, the Democrats Panel now holds significant influence within the National Press Club’s governing structure.
Supporters hope the new leadership will focus on:
-
Strengthening journalists’ welfare programs
-
Improving transparency in membership and elections
-
Advancing housing initiatives such as Media Town Phase-2
-
Promoting professionalism and unity within the journalist community
For many observers, these elections mark a turning point in the internal politics of the National Press Club.
Conclusion
The 2026 National Press Club elections will likely be remembered as one of the most transformative moments in the institution’s history.
The Democrats Panel’s sweeping victories, including the election of Abdul Razzaq Sial as President and Dr. Furqan Rao as Secretary, have ended nearly two decades of political dominance by the Journalist Panel.
For Pakistan’s journalist community, the results represent a powerful message about democratic change, accountability, and the desire for new leadership.
As the new leadership assumes office, expectations are high that the National Press Club will enter a new era of transparency, professionalism, and stronger advocacy for journalists’ rights.
Czechangez Khan Jadoon is a senior journalist based in Islamabad. He also heads Patriotic Journalists of Pakistan (PJP) Media Forum.
