With FIFA suspension lifted, PFF moves closer to much-awaited elections

FIFA’s decision to lift Pakistan’s suspension a few days ago has paved the way for the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) electoral process.

But what will happen now?

Framing election rules is the first step which will be taken towards the PFF elections. As per rules, the election rules should be aligned with the PFF Constitution which has been amended recently by the newly-elected PFF Congress. And those must be derived from principles.

Nukta has learnt that the basic format of the election rules will be provided by FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to the PFF Normalization Committee and then this will be shared with the stakeholders.

According to sources, effort will be made to incorporate, if possible, the things which will be suggested by the stakeholders. And after that the final draft of the election rules will be approved by FIFA and the AFC.

This correspondent has learnt that after formal approval of the draft by FIFA and the AFC, the NC will then issue it. The rules will also carry PFF’s elections timeline.

Sources told Nukta that the election rules will be finalized this month. However, it would be interesting to see how rules are framed and what would be its impact on the coming PFF’s elections.

Sources said that after issuing the election rules the elections of the PFF will be held in around 30 to 40 days.

The likely contestants

Meanwhile, some potential candidates for the PFF’s presidency have already started lobbying for the coveted post.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Football Association’s president and a seasoned Pakistan Peoples’ Party politician, Syed Zahir Shah, will be one of the major candidates for the PFF’s presidency.

Zahir Shah, also a former KP health minister, has already done his homework. He has held meetings with various key stakeholders and is expected to show his influence in the electoral process.

Former Pakistan captain Kaleemullah is another aspirant. He is also busy in paving way for his success in the elections which could be really interesting if more than one candidate will contest them.

PFF Congress member and vice-president of Punjab Football Association (PFA) Hafiz Zakaullah from Gujranwala, is also expected to contest the elections.

Sources said that former FIFA Development Officer Mohsin Gilani also is interested in contesting the elections.

Sources said that Mohsin Gilani is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on March 8 and then it would be seen how the things go.

Former PFF’s president and former AFC vice-president Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat is silent but he may also contest elections.

Faisal, also a former federal minister, belongs to PML (N) and can reclaim the coveted seat.

A candidate for the PFF’s presidency will need at least five Congress members to propose him or her.