Governor Faisal Karim Kundi of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa congratulated the newly elected body of the National Press Club Islamabad and expressed hope that the new leadership will play an active role in advancing journalists’ welfare and defending press freedom. He conveyed warm wishes to the elected office bearers and members, emphasizing the National Press Club’s long-standing role as a stronghold for free and autonomous journalism in Pakistan.
Abdul Razaq Siyal, president of the National Press Club, outlined the incoming team’s priorities and warned that the press club building has remained in the same condition for nearly two decades and requires urgent modernization. He appealed to the Pakistan Peoples Party to support efforts to upgrade facilities so that journalists can be provided better working conditions.
Dr Farqan Rao, secretary of the club, said the newly elected body will mobilize all available resources to address the professional and welfare needs of journalists, ensure their protection, and promote freedom of the press. He underlined plans to make the National Press Club a more active and resilient institution serving the media community.
Abid Abbasi, secretary finance, thanked the governor for his congratulations and reiterated the members’ expectation of meaningful cooperation from the Pakistan Peoples Party to align the National Press Club with contemporary standards. Other elected officials named in the congratulatory message included Ehtisham ul Haq as senior vice president, Usman Khan and Bashir Choudhry as vice presidents, Sehrish Qureshi as vice president, Shiraz Gardezi as senior joint secretary, Syed Aun Shirazi and Javed Bhagat as joint secretaries, Shakeela Jaleel as joint secretary, and governing body members Aamir Butt and Abrar Hussain Astori.
The governor expressed confidence that the new leadership will elevate the institution’s standing and take concrete measures to resolve journalists’ issues. Media and journalistic circles welcomed these remarks, calling the engagement a positive step toward strengthening the National Press Club and protecting the rights and safety of working journalists in Islamabad and beyond.
