Candidates set to file nomination papers ahead of PFF elections

Today is the last day for submitting nomination papers for the presidency of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and other seats of the Executive Committee.

The PFF elections are scheduled to be held on May 20 at Lahore’s Pearl Continental Hotel.

Nomination papers have not yet been submitted but the aspirants are ready to do so in the next few hours before the expiry of the timeline tonight.

Nuktahas learnt that, following a ban imposed by the PFF’s disciplinary committee recently on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Football Association’s former president and renowned politician Syed Zahir Shah, the things have changed. Zahir was primarily regarded as hot favorite for the coveted post but his ouster from the race for different reasons has changed the things.

But as was expected, Zahir, also a former KP health minister, has decided to bring in his own candidate for the PFF presidency. Taha Ali Zai, founder and owner of Karachi United, is his candidate for the PFF presidency. And sources well-aware of the development told this correspondent that Chaman’s Afghan FC owner Dr Mohammad Ali will be his covering candidate. Ali will also submit his nomination papers for the vice-president slot from Balochistan.

Sources within the group claim that they have the support of KP and Balochistan and one vote each from Punjab and Sindh could also go towards them. They also claim that seven votes of departments will also go towards them.

Both Taha, who is a lawyer, and Ali have prepared their nomination papers and are ready to submit.

Meanwhile, Hafiz Zakaullah, a senior member of Punjab Football Association from Gujranwala, is also a strong candidate and he will enjoy the support of Sindh and Punjab. He is a businessman by profession and has been seen assisting football in his region.

Sources close to Zakaullah also claim that he is more likely to win the elections for the PFF’s presidency.

Sources say that besides two provinces, Zakaullah also will get a vote of Pakistan Football Referees Association (PFRA) and a woman congress member will also support him. However, sources said that efforts are being made to also get the support of state departments.

State departments, which are seven in numbers, have a huge influence in the entire exercise and the candidate who will enjoy the support of state departments will easily win the election for the presidency.

There are a total 25 votes and the candidate who will win 13 votes will win the election.

Mohsin Gilani, a former FIFA development officer, is also likely to submit his nomination papers for the presidency. Some sources claim that he is facing issues in getting the required number of five Congress members to propose him as a candidate for the coveted post and some say that he enjoys little bit of support and may manage to file his nomination papers.

“He was facing issues but now he has the support of six to seven congress members and he will easily file his nomination papers,” a source said.

Mohsin Gilani is a well-known personality in football circles and it would be interesting to see how he manages the things after submitting his papers.

Some sources claim that he is a shrewd person and if he sees that he does not enjoy support he will not go for the presidency and will try for taking another post in the PFF Executive Committee.

Former Pakistan captain Kaleemullah also tried his best to file his nomination papers for the PFF’s presidency but at the eleventh hour he decided against it due to some technical issues. Sources close to Kaleem said that he may now back Mohsin Gilani.

Sources also made it clear that Zahir Shah will not go to any court and will follow the PFF Constitution and its arbitration process.

After submitting the nomination papers scrutiny of the candidates will be conducted from April 17-23. Appeals and review submissions timeline is April 24-27 and decisions on review submissions will be made from April 28-29. The official list of candidates for elections will be released on April 30. And from May 1 to 19 candidates will be allowed for canvasing for their elections. The elections will be held at the PFF Elective Congress to be held on May 20 at the Punjab capital.