After a decade of turmoil, disputed leadership, and FIFA-appointed oversight, Pakistani football finally stands at a critical juncture. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is set to hold long-awaited elections for its Executive Committee today—a landmark vote that will determine who will lead the country’s football out of years of crisis and back toward meaningful development.
There are only two candidates remaining in the race: Taha Alizai, the founder of Karachi United and a longstanding proponent of professional structures in Pakistan’s domestic football, and Mohsen Gilani, a former FIFA development officer with decades of experience in football administration.
What was once expected to be a three-way contest for PFF presidency has now become a straight face-off between Taha and Mohsen after Hafiz Zakaullah—an influential Congress member from Punjab—withdrew in favor of Gilani. Zaka’s decision was strategic: despite reportedly having more confirmed votes than Mohsen, the two reached an agreement under which Zaka’s group would nominate the federation’s general secretary if Mohsen were to win the presidency.
As of the final tally before today’s secret ballot, Taha Alizai appears to be narrowly ahead. At a weekend meeting with his panel, he claimed the support of 13 of the 24 voting members of the PFF Congress—just enough to secure the simple majority required to win.
The significance of today’s vote cannot be overstated. It’s been nearly six years since FIFA imposed a Normalisation Committee to bring stability and restore democratic structures within the PFF. But that process—stretched out across four separate committees—has itself been riddled with delays, infighting, and questions of legitimacy.
This PFF election, being held under the oversight of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, is supposed to mark the end of that era. Whichever candidate emerges victorious will inherit a federation still trying to rebuild its domestic structure, revive its international standing, and regain the trust of players, coaches, and fans who have grown disillusioned with football politics in the country.
What both candidates agree on—despite their current differences—is that the sport in Pakistan has suffered enough. What remains to be seen is who the Congress members believe is better equipped to lead it into a new era.
