Parliamentary panel calls for FIFA-compliant rules, improved football infrastructure and greater coordination with provincial sports departments.
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) has recommended that the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) bring its constitution and rules fully in line with FIFA requirements to support the sustainable development of football in Pakistan.
The IPC Standing Committee meeting was held at Parliament House on Tuesday under the acting chairmanship of Dr Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto.
PFF highlights national team’s international achievement
During the meeting, the PFF president briefed the committee on the federation’s recent achievements, the performance of the national team and its future plans.
The committee was informed that the Pakistan national football team had won a trophy at an international event for the first time, which members described as an encouraging development for football in the country.
The committee appreciated the achievement and recognised it as a positive step towards promoting and strengthening football in Pakistan.
The PFF president also informed the committee that the federation had remained inactive for a considerable period. However, elections were held approximately one year ago in accordance with FIFA directions, resulting in the election of new leadership, including the federation’s president.
PFF rules to be aligned with FIFA
The committee was informed that some provisions of the PFF’s existing constitution and rules were still not fully aligned with FIFA rules and regulations.
The federation said measures were being taken to bring its legal and constitutional framework into conformity with FIFA requirements.
The Standing Committee recommended that the PFF complete the process of aligning its constitution and rules with FIFA standards to facilitate effective measures for the promotion and development of football in Pakistan.
Football infrastructure development highlighted
The PFF president said the development and rehabilitation of football infrastructure was of paramount importance for the growth of the sport.
He said measures were being taken to rehabilitate and reconstruct football grounds, infrastructure and academies across all provinces.
The federation is also identifying talented players from different parts of the country through its Talent Hunt Programme, with the aim of introducing new players into the national football system.
The committee stressed that improved infrastructure would be essential for the long-term development of football and creating opportunities for players across the country.
PFF told to coordinate with provincial sports departments
The committee directed the PFF to establish effective coordination with the Sports Departments of provincial governments.
The objective is to enable the federation to participate actively in government schemes and initiatives aimed at promoting sports.
Committee members emphasised the importance of cooperation between the federation and provincial authorities to improve sports facilities and expand opportunities for football players.
Sports complex proposed in Haripur
The Standing Committee also recommended establishing a state-of-the-art Sports Complex on Wapda land in District Haripur.
A Wapda representative, however, raised concerns about the suitability of the proposed site, saying the land could fall within a potential flood passage.
The committee subsequently directed the formation of a joint committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, Wapda, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the concerned Member of the National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders.
The joint committee will assess the technical and practical feasibility of the proposed site and submit its report to the Standing Committee within one month.
Committee members attend meeting
Officials from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination and its attached departments attended the meeting.
MNAs Babar Nawaz Khan, Anjum Aqeel Khan, Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, Waseem Qadir, Pir Ameer Ali Shah Jeelani, Haji Rasool Bux Chandio, Syeda Shehla Raza and Khushal Khan Kakar were also present.
The committee’s recommendations focused on strengthening the PFF’s governance framework, improving football infrastructure, identifying emerging talent and enhancing coordination between the federation and government authorities.