Gilani-led PFF vows to revolutionize Pakistan football

President of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Syed Mohsen Gilani, held a press conference at the Football House in Lahore, accompanied by PFF Vice President Hafiz Zakaullah and Executive Committee Member from Punjab, Raja Amer Khan.President Gilani announced a bold roadmap to bring Pakistan football back on track, with clear plans to restore, develop, and uplift the sport across the country. He shared that he recently met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who expressed satisfaction with the way the PFF elections were conducted.

The PFF President stated that the new leadership is determined to take steps that can benefit football development. He stressed that Pakistan football is no longer in a stagnant phase and will now move ahead at a fast pace.

The revival of FIFA Development Programs in Pakistan is among the federation’s top priorities. Two key FIFA initiatives will soon be implemented. The first is the FIFA Arena Program, for which an agreement has already been signed with FIFA. Under this program, modern mini-pitches will be constructed, starting with two pilot projects. Schools across Pakistan will be encouraged to participate and utilize these facilities.

The second major program is Football for Schools in Pakistan. The federation is actively coordinating with the government to implement this program nationwide. Talks are also ongoing with La Liga, which is expected to assist the PFF in reviving the sport through training, infrastructure, and technical support.Responding to media questions, the PFF President clarified that there are currently no complete records of the previous Goal Projects. He emphasized that only the Disciplinary Committees will decide the fate of any banned officials and that no external influence will interfere in those matters.

Regarding the Professional League, the President explained that a professional league is the soul of any federation. Work is already in progress to develop a new league system. Although it cannot be launched immediately, the goal is to roll it out as soon as possible, and make it one of the finest in the region.

Special focus is also being placed on women’s football. The President highlighted that Pakistan’s women footballers are performing well, and the federation is planning to establish dedicated departments for their development. FIFA has also assured its support in coaching, technical assistance, and broader development for women in football.

On the financial side, the PFF is confident that football in Pakistan can be run in a sustainable and business-like manner. The federation plans to generate its own revenue through strategic planning and commercial initiatives.

The PFF President also shared that relations with the government are strong. When FIFA President Giani Infantino and AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa visits Pakistan, they are expected to meet with high-level government officials, further strengthening the partnership between the federation and state institutions, he concluded