Arshad Ansari wins Lahore Press Club Election 2026 amid controversy over rejected votes

Arshad Ansari won a record 14th term as Lahore Press Club president, but political backing, Sahafi Colony plot promises, and 579 rejected votes have triggered a fresh debate within Pakistan’s journalist community.

By Imran Malik

Veteran journalist Arshad Ansari has been elected president of the Lahore Press Club (LPC) for a record 14th term, but the 2026 election result has triggered debate well beyond the victory margin.

From the outset, Ansari’s campaign benefited from visible political backing. Punjab’s Information Minister publicly supported Arshad Ansari, a factor many insiders say strengthened his position. Equally decisive was the long pending issue of plots for journalists in Sahafi Colony Part II, which emerged as a central talking point during the campaign. Several journalists privately admit that the promise of plots proved more influential than discussions on journalistic logic, narrative strength, institutional reform, or preparing the profession for the AI driven media era. In this election, tangible benefits appeared to outweigh future-focused debates.

Ansari secured 1,283 votes, defeating Azam Chaudhry of the Grand Alliance, who received 711 votes, giving Ansari a solid lead of 572 votes. His Journalist Panel dominated the polls, winning nearly all major offices. The only exception was one vice presidential seat, won by Nasira Ateeq of the Grand Alliance.

Other key results included Afzal Talib elected General Secretary with 1,059 votes, Salman Qureshi as Senior Vice President with 1,125 votes, Madiha Almas as Vice President, Salik Nawaz as Treasurer, and Imran Sheikh as Joint Secretary. All were part of Ansari’s panel.

However, the celebrations were quickly tempered by controversy. Official results show that 579 votes were rejected in the Governing Body elections, while the highest number of rejected votes in any executive race was only 79.

This sharp contrast has raised serious questions. Many journalists point out that the same voters cast ballots for both executive and governing body seats. If those votes were valid for one category, why were they rejected for another?

Journalists are often described as one of Pakistan’s most educated and politically aware communities. “This sudden inconsistency is deeply troubling,” said a senior journalist, calling it a moment of reflection for the profession.

So far, the LPC Election Commission has not issued a detailed explanation. While no formal wrongdoing has been established, the episode has sparked uncomfortable conversations about transparency, priorities, and whether material incentives are gradually overshadowing the long term intellectual and professional advancement of journalism in Pakistan.