The Pakistan Football Federation Normalization Committee has announced the preliminary results of elections in 75 districts across Pakistan, marking a significant milestone after the completion of club registration and scrutiny, aimed at establishing an elected PFF.
According to a news release by the PFF NC, “Over 90 percent of voters participated in the electoral process,” while elections in the remaining districts will be held after Eid-ul-Fitr.
Pakistan football has been embroiled in controversy and conflict for the past decade. FIFA appointed the Normalization Committee (NC) in September 2019 to oversee the affairs of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). However, the road to elections has been fraught with delays.
According to the PFF constitution, newly-registered football clubs must wait for a two-year period before being granted the right to vote. The NC’s decision to deviate from this constitutional provision has drawn criticism, with some arguing that it has deprived established clubs of their voting rights.
A member of a contesting group led by former court-elected PFF chief, Ashfaq Hussain Shah, expressed concerns to local media, stating, “They struck off 15 clubs in Islamabad which have been established for a long time, and we have entered into an appeals process.
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Ashfaq’s group has accused the Haroon Malik-led NC of working against them since seizing control of the PFF headquarters in April 2021. This action led to Pakistan’s suspension by FIFA for a 15-month period.
“They NC has also made Islamabad a district, while according to the constitution, the Islamabad Football Association has the status of a provincial association,” added the member.