Alleged political interference derails PFF Congress; EXCO elections for KP seats stalled
Alleged political interference derails PFF Congress; EXCO elections for KP seats stalled
LAHORE: Alleged political manoeuvring by certain individuals brought bad name to Pakistan football, forcing the postponement of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Congress meeting and further delaying the KP’s representation in the PFF Executive Committee, sources revealed.
The sources said that the PFF Congress meeting, held on Sunday (December 28, 2025) at a local hotel in Lahore, was attended by 12 members, including representatives from Punjab and Sindh, the Referees Association, women Congress members, and women club representatives,
with the purpose of conducting PFF EXCO elections for two Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s seats. However, amid mounting objections and the absence of consensus, the Congress formally decided to postpone the meeting, prolonging uncertainty around PFF EXCO elections for KP’s two seats and deepening concerns over governance within Pakistan football.
The sources disclosed that prior to the start of the Congress session, Sindh’s representative Azam Khan informed the forum that the two PFF Congress members representing Sindh Football Association namely Mr. Muhammad Siddique and Mr. Kifayatullah were allegedly picked up and illegally confined by police on the directions of influential individuals.
The alleged objective, sources claimed, was to prevent those members from exercising their legitimate voting rights. The Sindh delegation strongly protested the incident and demanded an immediate investigation by FIFA authorities and the PFF Disciplinary Committee, urging strict action against anyone found responsible.
Furthermore, Sindh FA Congress members highlighted that even on the day of the Electoral Congress, a number of PFF Congress members were conspicuously absent despite having been formally accommodated by the PFF and their absence seriously undermined the FIFA-supported electoral process.
Sources further revealed that several Congress members were allegedly pressured into staying away from the Electoral Congress by individuals, who have been banned by the PFF Disciplinary Committee, in collusion with certain elements, aspiring to secure influential positions within the PFF hierarchy.
The controversy reportedly alarmed Congress members, who warned that such actions not only undermine democratic norms within football governance but also damage Pakistan’s credibility at international level. Sources further indicated that the FIFA is now expected to closely examine the matter, with the possibility of disciplinary action if violations are confirmed.
Meanwhile, the contesting candidates from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also raised serious objections, alleging that their right to contest the PFF elections had been deliberately obstructed. They appealed to FIFA and PFF leadership to ensure justice and allow elections to proceed in a fair, transparent, and interference-free environment.
The sources also clarified that the representatives of Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Railways never appeared at the voting site. It was further clarified to the departments that only individuals listed in the final voters’ list are eligible to participate in the Congress.
The virtual participation of the HEC representative was not permitted, as the individual seeking to attend the meeting was not the same person whose name appeared as HEC representative on the officially approved voters’ list.
It is worth mentioning here that the PFF’s voters’ list, issued on December 5, 2025, could not be constitutionally amended or altered thereafter, a position formally communicated to all concerned departments. Sources added that no objections were raised by any Congress and Executive Committee member regarding the process. Even, otherwise the process was supported by the majority of the members, which is well documented and the whole process for conducting the election was supported by FIFA.
