Islamabad, 27 May 2025: Football Federation President these three words now carry new hope for Pakistan’s troubled football landscape, as Mohsen Gilani secures the top post following years of institutional deadlock, legal disputes, and administrative paralysis.
Electoral Victory Signals End to FIFA-Controlled Normalisation
After more than a decade of interim leadership and FIFA-appointed oversight, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) finally concluded its long-overdue presidential election.
Mohsen Gilani was elected as the new Football Federation President in a tight second-round contest, narrowly defeating opponent Taha Alizai by a margin of 13 votes to 11.
READ MORE: FIFA honors Pakistani Singer Arif Lohar
The election, held under the supervision of FIFA, followed a tense first round in which neither candidate achieved the required two-thirds majority.
Gilani had led the initial round with 13 votes, but the absence of a conclusive result pushed the contest into a deciding round, where a simple majority was sufficient.
This vote marked a historic milestone, installing the first elected president of the PFF since 2015 a symbolic end to an era dominated by external committees and power vacuums.
Background of Turmoil and Delay
Pakistan’s football governance has remained in limbo since 2019, with a series of FIFA-imposed Normalisation Committees managing affairs in the absence of an elected body.
Disagreements within these committees, combined with political interference and legal entanglements, repeatedly postponed the electoral process and left the football infrastructure in disrepair.
The recent election, conducted by a 24-member Congress, is widely viewed as a breakthrough, earning anticipated recognition from both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Gilani’s victory was supported by a strategic alliance with Hafiz Zakaullah, formed just days prior to the ballot, which helped tip the balance in his favour against Alizai, who had entered as the early favourite.
A Daunting Task Ahead
Now officially installed as Football Federation President, Gilani faces formidable challenges. Chief among them is restoring the PFF’s credibility with global footballing bodies, restarting a domestic football calendar that has remained dormant for years, and launching long-neglected grassroots initiatives.
Observers note that his administration will be judged not only on its ability to deliver competitive structures but also on progress in developing youth and women’s football, training coaches, enhancing infrastructure, and ensuring financial transparency all areas historically overlooked.
Furthermore, rebuilding trust among stakeholders in a divided footballing community will be critical for long-term stability and reform.
A New Chapter, but Not Without Challenges
Although Gilani’s ascent to the role of Football Federation President brings much-needed legitimacy back to the PFF, football experts caution that systemic change will not happen overnight.
READ MORE: FIFA Report Highlights Financial Struggles in Women’s Soccer
His leadership may mark the beginning of institutional recovery, but the extent of transformation will depend on his ability to implement inclusive policies and gain stakeholder confidence.
For now, however, the symbolic weight of a democratically chosen leader offers renewed direction for the sport. After years of limbo, Pakistan football finally has a face at the helm and, more importantly, a voice chosen by vote.
