Maria Imran 
Mardan Press Club elections, membership decisions and other administrative issues; the Mardan Union of Journalists demanded an independent inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the 2026 Mardan Press Club elections and membership decisions. The request has brought transparency, eligibility, and compliance with legal requirements to the centre of an ongoing dispute within the local journalist community.
Election Process Raises Questions On Membership Counts
The MUJ letter says that a list of 31 members was handed over to the election commissioner before the election process. The petitioners told the Court that at that time the election was conducted in the presence of only 15 members and a section of the members boycotted the proceedings.
A major concern of the journalists demanding an investigation has been the discrepancy between the list of members submitted to the election commissioner and the number of members present at the election. The petitioners have sought examination of relevant records and election documents to see how the process was conducted.
Dispute Part Of Membership Cancellations
Another big issue that has come up in the request filed by the Mardan Union of Journalists is membership decisions. The letter said the memberships of former Press Club president Muhammad Riaz Mayar, former finance secretary Pervez Shaheen and former joint secretary Shah Hussain were terminated before the installation of the current cabinet.
The petitioners have challenged the constitutional and legal basis of those decisions. Thus, the requested inquiry would examine if the membership cancellations complied with the rules regulating the Press Club and whether the right procedures were taken before implementing the decisions.
Court Orders Add Another Chapter To Controversy
The MUJ has also demanded implementation of court orders in the cases of memberships of Bin Yameen, Arshad Khan, Sher Khan and Saeed Bacha. The plea implies that the current judicial instructions have become a significant element of the broader conflict.
The organisation has also demanded an inquiry into the alleged restoration of the membership of advocate Jamal Hoti and Imran Younis. These issues have raised questions about the consistency of the application of membership decisions between individuals.
Journalists Look For Confirmation Of Professional Eligibility
Another issue raised by the MUJ pertains to the eligibility of members according to the constitutional requirements of the Press Club. The petitioners have asked to verify the educational qualifications, journalistic affiliations and active professional status of the members.
The matter is of particular importance because press clubs are professional institutions and not general social organisations. Membership criteria can help to ensure that those participating in elections and organisational decisions meet the standards set by the institution.
Why Transparent Membership Rules Are Important For Press Clubs
Press clubs are very important institutions in the media environment of Pakistan, especially at the district level. They can offer journalists a platform for professional coordination, interaction with public institutions and discussion of issues affecting the local community.
For these institutions to function effectively, their internal governance needs to be credible. Respectful elections, open membership lists and regular application of constitutional provisions might help to safeguard the legitimacy of the organisation.
The Government Is Being Urged To Reconsider The Row
The MUJ has officially requested the Secretary Information, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to investigate the controversy. The review would include the Press Club’s constitution, membership records, election documentation and relevant court orders.
Copies of the letter were also forwarded to the Director General of Information, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Commissioner Mardan, Deputy Commissioner Mardan, Deputy Inspector General Mardan and District Police Officer Mardan. The involvement of several administrative authorities points out the necessity of resolving the matter through established channels.
Mardan Administration Emphasises Alternative Dispute Resolution
In another parallel development, Deputy Commissioner Mardan Wasif-ur-Rehman sent the application to Haji Humayun Khilji, chairman of the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism. The direction said that the dispute between the Press Club members should be resolved through an amicable process as per law.
The ADR route may provide the parties with a means of addressing their disputes without resorting to lengthy litigation or public confrontation. Institutional rules that are not uniformly understood or applied can create significant uncertainty about differences in the number of eligible participants, cancellations of membership and restorations of membership.
A full review could be an opportunity to clean up the membership register, verify eligibility rules and set up procedures for future elections. Such measures would build confidence in the institutions and reduce the likelihood of such a confrontation.
A Legal Solution May Empower Mardan’s Media Community
The first step in the Mardan Press Club dispute is to ascertain the facts about the 2026 election and contested membership decisions. A dispassionate study of the records, court orders and constitutional provisions may offer the clearest route to resolution of the competing claims.
