London: Pakistan Press Club UK (PPCUK) has held it’s 9th annual elections for the year 2017-2018. PPCUK has a total membership of 120 members, making it the largest journalistic group in the UK. The membership is made up of committed, energetic and passionate individuals of very high calibre, who are working for various print, TV channels and electronic media houses. PPCUK offered all its current members the opportunity to participate in these highly contested elections. An elected body of 14 members including six members of it’s executive council, regularly hold meetings for different purposes regarding issues and matters that are of relevance and concern to journalists.
This years elections were held in London under the watchful eye of the independent election invigilators. A secret ballot process took place. Former president UK Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Naheed Randawha was Chief Election Commissioner whilst President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Mr. Afzal Butt, Vice President Khalid Khokhar and Barrister Zeeshan Mian participated as a Chief Guest and observers respectively.
According to results Mr Arshad Rachyal was elected as President, who is Managing Editor of Kashmir Link London. Akram Abid as Senior Vice President, Mussarat Iqbal Joint Secretary and Afzal Chaudhry succeeded unopposed. Mr. Arshad Rachyal is holding this office second time as his popularity, enthusiasm, commitment & dedication led to him being unopposed, members felt that Mr Rachyal should remain in office, carrying on with his duties to serve in this very challenging role.
According to election results for two Vice Presidents posts, Mr Nisar Gulshan and Zahid Noor succeeded. Naveed Chudhary is the newly elected General Secretary and Kishwar Abbasi Treasurer Secretary. Six Executive Council Members are Sheraz Khan, Atta ul Haq, Adeel khan, Mona Baig, Qasir Hamid Sheikh and Mohammad Rajasib were duly elected.
President PFUJ Mr. Afzal Butt has praised all its members who have participated in these elections in a friendly manner. He urged all journalists to show solidarity and unity for the rights of all journalists. Other speakers stated that fellow journalists and media colleagues in Pakistan are facing numerous issues and problems, it is felt that we have a moral and ethical duty to represent and seek appriopiate redress for their rights too. UK journalists relay heavily on their Pakistan based colleagues for information and advice, and therefore share their concerns.
Mr. Mobeen Chaudhry founder of PPCUK said that the newly elected board needs to identify and address voting issues, in an attempt to make it possible for those who unable to commute to London from other UK cities to vote. He suggested that perhaps a secure online voting system needs to be setup, to enable other members to cast their votes in this manner.
