The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has been urged by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to immediately revise its constitution and align it with modern international governance standards. Football authorities emphasized that any form of third party interference in football administration will not be accepted and could negatively impact the federation’s standing within the global football community.
The message was delivered during the Governance and Statutes Revision Workshop held in Karachi, where FIFA and AFC representatives met with members of the PFF Congress to discuss reforms aimed at strengthening football governance in Pakistan.
Speaking at the workshop, Rolf Tanner, FIFA’s Head of Member Associations Governance, highlighted the importance of establishing a clear separation of powers among the federation’s legislative, executive, and judicial bodies. According to Tanner, an effective system of checks and balances is essential for transparency, accountability, and reducing the risk of corruption.
The workshop also focused on critical governance principles, including gender equality, conflict of interest prevention, and ensuring competent leadership within football administration. FIFA believes these reforms are necessary to create a stable environment for the long term growth of football in Pakistan.
Tanner noted that FIFA and AFC had instructed the PFF to review and update its constitution within one year of the federation’s elections. He described the ongoing workshop as an important step toward completing that process and ensuring compliance with international football regulations.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani welcomed the initiative and acknowledged that constitutional reforms had remained pending for nearly a decade. He stated that many football federations around the world have modernized their structures while Pakistan’s framework has remained outdated, making reform an urgent priority.
AFC Development Officer Sonam Jigmi assured participants that the review process would be transparent and involve consultation with relevant stakeholders. He also warned that member associations failing to comply with FIFA and AFC requirements could lose certain membership rights.
The workshop is expected to continue with further discussions on governance reforms and the development of a modern constitutional framework that supports the future growth of football in Pakistan.
