(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
FIFA and AFC Urge Pakistan Football Federation to Update Constitution
FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have called on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to revise its constitution in line with international governance standards. The football governing bodies also emphasized that any form of external interference in federation matters will not be accepted.
The message was delivered during a Governance and Statutes Revision Workshop held on Sunday, where FIFA and AFC representatives addressed members of the PFF Congress.
Focus on Governance and Structural Reforms
According to officials, the workshop is part of a broader initiative to review and update the PFF constitution, which was last fully revised in 2014. While some amendments were introduced prior to the most recent PFF elections, FIFA and AFC believe a comprehensive update is now necessary.
FIFA’s Head of Member Associations Governance, Rolf Tanner, highlighted the importance of strong governance structures for the long-term development of football in Pakistan. He stressed the need for clear separation of powers within the federation to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective decision-making.
Discussions during the workshop also included key governance areas such as conflict of interest policies, gender inclusion, and strengthening football administration systems.
Call for Timely Reforms
Officials from FIFA and AFC stated that the constitutional revision process had been initiated to align the federation with international standards following recent elections. They described the workshop as an important step toward completing these reforms.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani acknowledged delays in updating the constitution and emphasized the need to move forward with long-awaited reforms.
He noted that many other football federations have already modernized their governance structures and stressed the importance of catching up with global standards.
AFC Emphasizes Compliance
AFC Development Officer Sonam Jigmi reiterated that all member associations are required to comply with FIFA and AFC regulations in order to maintain their membership rights. He added that the review process would be carried out in a transparent and consultative manner.
The ongoing workshop is expected to continue discussions on governance improvements and the framework for updating the PFF constitution in line with international requirements.
