Press Freedom: Victory underscores the role of the Karachi Press Club in championing journalism.
- Leadership Success: Fazil Jamili elected President with 560 votes
- Unopposed Victory: Irshad Khokhar becomes Vice President without opposition
- Clean Sweep: Democrats Panel dominates all seven governing body seats
- Tradition Continues: Karachi Press Club upholds its annual election legacy since 1958
- Government Acknowledgment: Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah congratulates the newly elected cabinet
Karachi: The Democrats Panel has once again demonstrated its dominance by sweeping the Karachi Press Club‘s annual elections, securing a resounding victory for the 17th consecutive time. This remarkable achievement underscores the panel’s enduring popularity and trust among the members of the city’s esteemed press community.
Polling occurred on, Saturday 28th December, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM without interruptions. The election process was marked by enthusiastic participation, with members of the Karachi Press Club turning out in large numbers to cast their votes. According to the Karachi Press Club Election Committee, 871 out of 1,507 members exercised their voting rights.
The atmosphere at the club was vibrant, with candidates and supporters actively engaging in discussions and rallies throughout the day. The results, announced in the evening, confirmed a landslide victory for The Democrats Panel.
Key Election Results
- President: Fazil Jamili (The Democrats) secured 560 votes, defeating independent candidate Ayub Jan Sirhindi, who received 273 votes.
- Vice President: Irshad Khokhar (The Democrats) was elected unopposed.
- Treasurer: Imran Ayub (The Democrats) won with 668 votes, while his opponent, Aftab Hussain, managed 149 votes.
- Secretary: Muhammad Sohail Afzal Khan (The Democrats) garnered 604 votes, leaving behind Qamar Rizvi with 237 votes.
- Joint Secretary: Muhammad Munsif (The Democrats) triumphed with 688 votes, compared to Saeed Anwar Khan Buneri’s 119 votes.
Governing Body Victories
The Democrats Panel also clinched all seven governing body seats with significant margins:
- Abdul Hafeez Baloch: 741 votes
- Kafeel Ahmed: 733 votes
- Maimuna Siddiqui (Mona Siddiqui): 722 votes
- Muhammad Farooq: 722 votes
- Hammad Hussain: 719 votes
- Manzoor Sheikh: 682 votes
- Qazi Muhammad Yasir: 679 votes
Independent candidates Syed Atiq Ahmed (261 votes) and Qazi Nasiruddin (138 votes) fell short in the governing body race.
Leaders Congratulate the Victors
The Democrats Panel’s historic success drew congratulations from several prominent figures in Sindh’s government.
- Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah congratulated the newly elected cabinet of the Karachi Press Club on their outstanding success and praised their efforts in upholding journalistic excellence.
- Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon extended his heartfelt congratulations to The Democrats Panel for their resounding victory in the annual elections.
- Sindh Minister for Education and Mineral Development Syed Sardar Ali Shah congratulated all the successful candidates and wished them success in their new roles.
- Provincial Minister for Culture and Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah lauded The Democrats Panel for their impressive performance and reiterated the importance of the Press Club in promoting cultural awareness.
- Sindh Minister for Home, Law, and Parliamentary Affairs Zia-ul-Hassan sent his best wishes to The Democrats Panel, commending their leadership and commitment.
- Sindh Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani also congratulated The Democrats Panel and emphasized the crucial role of the Press Club in fostering free and responsible journalism.
A Historic Tradition
Since its establishment in 1958, the Karachi Press Club has maintained a proud tradition of conducting annual elections. Members must present their club cards to participate, a process that has been faithfully followed for decades.
The Democrats Panel’s latest win reinforces its legacy of leadership and influence in Pakistan’s journalistic community. The continued trust placed in them by the members is a testament to their commitment to the club’s vision and values.
As the newly elected office-bearers take charge, they are expected to build on this legacy and address the challenges faced by the press in these transformative times.