FIFA Lifts Ban on Pakistan Football Federation After Constitutional Amendments

Pakistan Football Federation Suspension Revoked

The International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) has officially lifted its suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). The decision comes after successful constitutional amendments were approved in an Extraordinary Congress held in Lahore last week.

FIFA Acknowledges Pakistan’s Compliance

Following the approval of FIFA’s proposed amendments, the world football governing body revoked the ban. The PFF Normalisation Committee (NC) member, Shahid Khokhar, confirmed the development and expressed gratitude towards FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for their continuous support.

“The suspension ended after the amendments were passed in the PFF Congress meeting,” said Khokhar.

He further added, “The Pakistan Football Federation is grateful to FIFA and AFC for their continued support.”

FIFA’s Condition for Lifting the Ban

FIFA had initially imposed the suspension due to governance and structural issues within the PFF. However, the football body made it clear that the ban would only be lifted once the PFF Congress approved the FIFA and AFC-proposed constitution.

“The suspension will only be lifted subject to the PFF Congress approving the version of the PFF Constitution presented by FIFA and the AFC,” FIFA had stated earlier.

With the amendments now in place, Pakistan’s football governance is expected to improve, ensuring a stable future for the sport in the country.

Impact on Pakistan’s Participation in AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

The lifting of the ban comes as a major relief for Pakistan’s national football team, which was at risk of missing out on the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers scheduled to begin next month.

The AFC had previously warned that if FIFA did not revoke Pakistan’s suspension by March 4—three weeks before the opening match—the team would be withdrawn from the competition. Now, with the ban lifted, Pakistan’s participation is back on track.

A New Era for Pakistan Football

The removal of FIFA’s suspension marks a significant milestone for Pakistan football. It opens doors for international participation, player development, and long-term structural reforms. With FIFA and AFC backing the PFF, Pakistan can now focus on rebuilding its football ecosystem and strengthening its presence on the global stage.

Football fans across the country are hopeful that this decision will lead to a new era of progress and stability for the sport in Pakistan.