Pakistan football’s long wait for a meaningful domestic revival may finally be nearing a turning point. Ali Tareen, former owner of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, has emerged as a surprise entrant in the bidding race to launch a new national football league, joining two established franchise-league groups already courting the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).
The PFF last month invited expressions of interest from individuals and companies as it looks to rebuild a domestic structure that has been dormant since the final edition of the Pakistan Premier Football League in 2019. On Dec 17, the final day for submissions, Tareen confirmed that he had formally entered the race with a proposal that sharply contrasts with the short-format, franchise-based models on offer.
“This is not a flashy, one-month cash-grab tournament,” Tareen wrote on X, taking aim at franchise leagues. Instead, he proposed a six-month-long season built around clubs rather than temporary teams, arguing that longevity, not spectacle, is the missing ingredient in Pakistan football.
A Club-Centred Vision
At the heart of Tareen’s proposal is a traditional league structure: home-and-away fixtures, equity ownership for participating teams, and city-based rivalries with two clubs per major centre. He also outlined a mandatory women’s competition to be played earlier on matchdays, inspired by England’s Hundred, signalling an attempt to integrate women’s football into the mainstream calendar rather than treat it as an afterthought.
“This is the model that builds long-term value, gives fans real clubs to support, and can take Pakistan football to the next level,” Tareen said. His message was blunt and symbolic: “League > Tournament.”
Tareen’s entry comes shortly after he was denied a renewal of Multan Sultans’ ownership by the Pakistan Cricket Board as the PSL extended agreements with its other franchises. His pivot toward football, however, appears strategic rather than reactive. In a separate post, he framed his involvement as part of a broader vision for Pakistani sport, stressing the country’s young population, untapped passion, and the need for global expertise to build a credible domestic league.
Franchise Models Still in the Mix
Tareen is up against two proposals rooted in the franchise model. Global Soccer Ventures (GSV) has been attempting to launch a Pakistan Football League for several years and staged a high-profile unveiling in Lahore last June, an event that featured former England striker Michael Owen. GSV claims it has already sold five of its eight franchises and says it is ready to launch as soon as it gets the PFF’s approval.
“The GSV revived interest in football when there was nothing happening locally,” said Pakistan international Kaleemullah, one of the players associated with the project.
According to him, the group’s preparation sets it apart from previous failed attempts.
The third bidder is Zabe Khan, a former K-Electric sports head who was initially involved with GSV but later parted ways amid disputes over contracts. Khan has now submitted a separate proposal, backed by another entity with long-standing ambitions in Pakistani football. Unlike Tareen, Khan believes there is room for multiple formats.
“We need both leagues — a franchise league and a club league,” he said, outlining a tournament-style competition lasting between one month and 45 days.
PFF Signals Caution, Not Speed
All three bidders are scheduled to present detailed plans to the Mohsen Gilani-led PFF on December 29. The federation has made it clear that, after years of administrative turmoil and FIFA intervention, it is in no mood to rush another experiment.
“We are building something stronger and more sustainable,” Mohsen said last week, adding that the league would be launched only after careful scrutiny of the proposals. The message from the PFF leadership is clear: credibility matters more than quick wins.
For a footballing nation starved of structure, the choice now before the PFF is not merely about who runs the next league, but what kind of future Pakistani football wants. A short, marketable tournament may bring immediate attention. A longer, club-based league could finally give the game roots. The decision, due after the December presentations, may shape the sport’s direction for years to come.
About the author: Mohsin Rasheed is the founder & chief editor of Footballer.pk, Pakistan’s leading football media platform. He oversees editorial content and regularly contributes match reports, player profiles, and tactical features. You can reach him at [email protected]. For official queries please write us at [email protected]