PESHAWAR: The Progressive, Democratic and Unity Alliance swept the Peshawar Press Club annual elections held the other day.

According to the results, which were announced late Saturday night, senior journalist Mohammad Riaz, representing the unity alliance, was elected president of the club, securing 350 votes. His rival, Nasir Hussain of the Professional Journalists Forum received 97 votes.

Irfan Khan was elected vice-president getting 302 votes, while his rival, Arif Hayat obtained 122 votes. Tayyab Usman polled 257 votes and was elected general secretary, defeating his rival Alamgir Khan, who got 190 votes.

Gulzar Mohammad was elected joint secretary receiving 310 votes, while his rival candidate, Amir Ali Shah got 132 votes. Ihtesham Khan emerged victorious for the slot of finance secretary, getting 312 votes, while his rival Mohammad Naeem bagged 129 votes.

Shamim Shahid, Fareedullah, Tariq Waheed, Irshad Ali, Irfan Musazai, Imran Ayyaz, Zahid Mirokhel, Bilawal Arbab, Mahmoodul Hassan and Shakil Siddiqi were elected members of the press club’s governing body.

Election committee headed by Shahid Hameed conducted the polls. The polling started at 8am and ended at 4.30pm. The results were declared late night.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the Peshawar mayor, and other political and social figures congratulated the newly-elected body of the Peshawar Press Club.

In their congratulatory messages, they extended their best wishes to club’s president Mohammad Riaz and his team, expressing hope that they would take significant steps to address the issues faced by the journalist community and enhance the prestige of the press club. They emphasised that this representative forum of journalists would continue to play a vital role in safeguarding press freedom and highlighting public issues.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2024