Democrats Panel makes gains in National Press Club elections, ending Journalist Panel’s winning streak

ISLAMABAD: The Democrats Panel achieved significant success in the National Press Club (NPC) elections for the 2026-27 term, breaking the long-standing dominance of the Journalist Panel by securing four out of ten executive body seats, including the key positions of president and general secretary.

Abdul Razzaq Sial of the Democrats Panel was elected as the new NPC president, receiving 1,067 votes and narrowly defeating Nayyer Ali, who secured 1,052 votes. The contest for the general secretary post also saw a close finish, with Dr Furqan Rao of the Democrats Panel winning 1,024 votes against Khalid Mahmood of the Journalist Panel, who garnered 1,002 votes.

Despite these setbacks, the Journalist Panel managed to retain the finance secretary position, as Abid Abbasi won with 1,061 votes, while his closest rival, Khawar Nawaz Raja, received 1,032 votes.

The elections for the three vice president positions also reflected the shifting balance of power. The Democrats Panel succeeded in capturing two of these seats, further consolidating their presence in the executive body. The results mark a notable change in the leadership dynamics at the National Press Club, where the Journalist Panel had previously maintained a stronghold over key posts for several consecutive terms.

The NPC elections are closely watched within the media community, as the club plays a central role in representing journalists’ interests and facilitating professional activities in Islamabad and beyond. The outcome of this year’s polls is expected to influence the club’s direction and priorities in the coming term.

The close margins in several races highlight the competitive nature of the elections and the growing influence of the Democrats Panel among NPC members. The new executive body will assume its responsibilities for the 2026-27 period, with expectations of increased collaboration and potentially new initiatives under the leadership of Abdul Razzaq Sial and Dr Furqan Rao.