Metro53 - Lahore (Metro 53): The final results of the annual elections of the Pakistan Federal Union of Columnists (PFUC) have been officially announced. According to a notification issued by the Election Commission, the electoral process was completed on January 6, 2026.
The Progressive Panel achieved a clean sweep at the national level by winning unopposed, as all opposing candidates withdrew their nomination papers.
After completing the documentation and scrutiny process, the Election Commission formally announced the central body on January 6, 2026. As per the notification, Farid Razaqi was elected President, Waqar Aslam as Secretary General, Chaudhry Muhammad Ali as Senior Vice President, and Saadia Khalid as Information Secretary.
At the provincial level as well, notifications were issued declaring the success of the Progressive Panel’s nominated office-bearers. From Punjab, Rizwan Ullah Khan was elected President and Asad Mahmood General Secretary; from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Alam Zeb Khan as President and Wisal Khan as General Secretary; from Balochistan, Zardad Khan as President; from Sindh, Akhtar Ayub Khan as President and Imran Qaimkhani as General Secretary; while from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Usman Ghani was elected President.
The newly elected leadership reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights of columnists across the country and continuing collective efforts for freedom of the press. While outlining the future course of action after their victory, Central President Farid Razaqi stated that new opportunities would be created for writers and they would be aligned with the modern requirements of journalism. Secretary General Waqar Aslam reiterated the resolve to organize special training workshops to further enhance the skills of columnists, while Senior Vice President Chaudhry Muhammad Ali said that effective access to digital platforms would be ensured for columnists in line with the demands of the changing times.
On this remarkable success, PFUC Chairman Farrukh Shahbaz Warraich extended heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected cabinet. Board of Governors member Raja Waheed Chauhan and Progressive Panel Chairman Azhar Tharaj also congratulated all the elected office-bearers and expressed hope that the new leadership would utilize all its capabilities for the welfare and well-being of the community of writers.
