KARACHI: Senior journalist Kazim Khan has been re-elected unopposed as President of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) during its annual general meeting, reaffirming confidence in his leadership at a critical time for the media industry.
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According to the official announcement, Ayaz Khan was elected Senior Vice President, Ghulam Nabi Chandio as Secretary General, and Tanveer Shaukat as Deputy Secretary General.
Other key office-bearers include Arif Baloch as Finance Secretary, Munazza Seham as Information Secretary, Qazi Asad Abid as Vice President Sindh, Shakeel Tarabi as Vice President Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Mian Ahmed Hassan as Vice President Punjab, Tahir Farooq as Vice President Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Anwar Sajidi as Vice President Balochistan.
The results were announced by election committee chairman Ali Raza Lehri, who congratulated the newly elected members.
During the meeting, participants held extensive discussions on the future of print media, the rapid expansion of digital platforms, and the financial challenges confronting the industry. Addressing the gathering, President Kazim Khan linked the media’s current challenges with World Press Freedom Day, declaring 2026 as a year of “protecting press freedom and resistance.”
He stressed that accountability must begin within the media industry, warning against the spread of fake news, the rise of dummy publications, and individuals promoting narratives influenced by vested interests. “Not everyone who speaks or appears on screen qualifies as a journalist,” he said, cautioning that the dignity and credibility of journalism are under serious threat.
Kazim Khan also condemned incidents of intimidation against journalists, including cases where media professionals are allegedly summoned and threatened, calling for stronger safeguards to ensure press freedom.
Participants acknowledged that while digital media continues to grow rapidly, print media remains a vital and credible documentary source of information. However, concerns were raised over the sharp decline in government advertising, which has significantly impacted the financial sustainability of newspapers and magazines, particularly regional publications.
Speakers urged the government to introduce subsidies, ensure fair and transparent distribution of advertisements, and restore quotas for regional newspapers. They also called for a comprehensive and forward-looking media policy to address industry challenges.
The meeting also highlighted the need for digital transformation within CPNE, including the development of an effective digital platform and adoption of modern technologies to expand reach and relevance. Participants emphasized that credible journalism must be strengthened to counter the growing spread of misinformation.
A special condolence session was held in memory of former CPNE Secretary General Aamir Mahmood, with members paying tribute to his contributions to press freedom and the organization’s development.
Concluding the session, Kazim Khan and Ghulam Nabi Chandio thanked participants and acknowledged the efforts of the CPNE Secretariat staff.
