The Democrats Panel won the National Press Club (NPC) elections marking a significant change, with the Democrats Panel winning key positions including the presidency and secretaryship, previously held by the Journalist Panel.

The election results showed that Abdul Razzaq Sial was elected president with 1,067 votes, narrowly defeating Nayyer Ali, while Dr Furqan Rao secured the secretary position with 1,024 votes. The Journalist Panel, however, maintained control over the finance secretary position, one vice president and three joint secretary positions.

Senior government officials and opposition leaders extended congratulations to the newly-elected President Abdul Razzaq Sial, Secretary Dr Furqan Rao, and other office bearers of the NPC for the 2026-27 term.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, praised the NPC as a vital institution for safeguarding freedom of expression and independent journalism. He expressed confidence that the new leadership will uphold these values. Similarly, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attullah Tarar, congratulated the winners and reiterated the government’s support for journalists’ welfare.

Opposition leaders, including Mahmood Khan Achakzai, head of Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Aain Pakistan and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, and Allama Nasir Abbas, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, acknowledged the trust placed in the winners by the journalists’ community.

Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari also offered her best wishes to the new leadership, emphasizing the NPC’s influential role in national journalism and expressing hope that the newly elected body will effectively address journalists’ issues.