![PFF president promises ‘new era’ for Pakistan football with FIFA backing [The Nation]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Mohsen-Gilani-with-Hafiz-Zakaullah-and-Raja-Amer-Khan-at-PFF-House-press-conference-17-July-2025.jpg "PFF president promises ‘new era’ for Pakistan football with FIFA backing [The Nation]")
by Azhar Khan
LAHORE – Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Mohsen Gilani has announced a bold roadmap to bring Pakistan football back on track, with clear plans to restore, develop, and uplift the sport across the country.
Mohsen Gilani announced this during his first press conference as a PFF president at the Football House in Lahore. He was accompanied by PFF Vice President Hafiz Zakaullah and Executive Committee Member from Punjab, Raja Amer Khan. The PFF head said that that he and his team are determined to take steps that previous administrations failed to deliver. “Pakistan football is no longer in a stagnant phase and will now move ahead at a faster pace,” he added.
Gilani revealed that he recently met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who expressed his satisfaction with the transparent conduct of the PFF elections and conveyed full confidence in Gilani’s leadership. “Infantino firmly believes that ever since I assumed charge of the PFF president, the federation and Pakistan football will progress swiftly and purposefully.”
He added that the revival of FIFA Development Programs in Pakistan is among the PFF’s top priorities. “Two key FIFA initiatives will soon be implemented. The first is the FIFA Arena Program, for which an agreement has already been signed with FIFA. Under this program, modern mini-pitches will be constructed, starting with two pilot projects. Schools across Pakistan will be encouraged to participate and utilize these facilities.
“The second major program is ‘Football for Schools in Pakistan’. The federation is actively coordinating with the government to implement this program nationwide,” he said added: “Talks are also ongoing with La Liga, which is expected to assist the PFF in reviving the sport through training, infrastructure, and technical support.”
Responding to media questions, the PFF president clarified that there are currently no complete records of the previous FIFA Goal Projects, but it will be tried to find out the facts. To another query regarding banned PFF officials, he emphasised that only the Disciplinary Committees will decide the fate of the banned officials and that no external influence can interfere in those matters.
Regarding the Professional Football League, Gilani explained that a professional league is the soul of any federation. “Work is already in progress to develop a new league system. Although it cannot be launched immediately, the goal is to roll it out as soon as possible and make it one of the finest in the region.”
The PFF president highlighted that Pakistan’s women footballers are performing well, and the federation is committed to creating dedicated departments and launching specialised programs aimed at their development. “Women’s football is one of our top priorities,” he said.
“Pakistani women possess remarkable talent and have the capability to shine on the international stage. We are initiating targeted programs to nurture this potential, and FIFA has pledged its full support through coaching, technical guidance, and comprehensive development initiatives for our women footballers.”
On the financial side, the PFF chief said that he is confident that football in Pakistan can be run in a sustainable and business-like manner. “The federation aims to achieve financial sustainability by implementing strategic planning and launching dynamic commercial initiatives. We are in the process of onboarding experienced marketing professionals, who will actively engage major corporate entities and encourage them to invest in football, the world’s most widely played and followed sport.”
The PFF president also shared that the federation’s relations with the government are strong. “When FIFA President Infantino visits Pakistan, he is expected to meet with high-level government officials that will help in further strengthening the partnership between the federation and state institutions,” Gilani concluded.