When Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President and FIFA Senior Vice President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa touched down in Islamabad in early November 2025, it wasn’t just another diplomatic courtesy call. It marked a moment of long-awaited optimism for Pakistan football — a sport battered by administrative crises, FIFA suspensions, and years of lost opportunities. For the first time in over a decade, the message from both the AFC and Pakistan’s government was clear: football’s future in Pakistan must begin now.
A State Guest and a Symbol of Renewal
Sheikh Salman, a member of Bahrain’s royal family and one of world football’s most influential figures, arrived in Pakistan as an official State Guest — a gesture that underlined the significance of his visit. His four-day tour was packed with high-level meetings, including sessions with Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
The focus: rebuilding Pakistan’s football ecosystem from the ground up.
“We are confident that this historic visit will lay the foundation for a new era of football development in Pakistan,” said Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, calling it “a milestone for youth empowerment and sports diplomacy.”
Day One: Setting the Stage at Aiwan-e-Sadr
On his first day, Sheikh Salman led a delegation that met Acting President Yousuf Raza Gilani. The two discussed how to align Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) governance with AFC and FIFA standards — a pressing concern after nearly a decade of turmoil.
“Football governance must be strengthened, and youth participation expanded,” said Mr. Gilani. “Our majority population is young, and their involvement in sports is essential for national progress.”
Sheikh Salman praised Pakistan’s efforts to restore normalcy, noting that the election of Mohsin Gilani as PFF President earlier this year had finally brought stability after years of FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committees and suspensions.
A Fresh Start After Years of Chaos
In an exclusive interview with Dawn, Sheikh Salman reflected on the long crisis that plagued Pakistan football since 2015 — one that saw the federation suspended three times and left domestic leagues in limbo.
“All we wanted was a constitution aligned with FIFA and AFC statutes,” he said. “It took years, but we now have a new board in place. What matters is the future. We’ve wasted too much time already — the only way forward is up.”
The AFC chief expressed faith in Mohsin Gilani’s leadership:
“When Mohsin was elected, I was happy because he is a football person — educated in the game, with a vision. We must support him and then judge by results. Accountability is key.”
Day Two: Meeting Pakistan’s Leadership
Sheikh Salman’s itinerary reflected both symbolic and practical intent. His meetings with Pakistan’s top leadership centered on how the government, AFC, and PFF could cooperate without compromising the federation’s independence, a balance often lost in Pakistan’s sporting politics.
“The role of the government is important, but independence of the federation must be maintained,” he said. “The time has come for shared responsibility — not interference.”
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and PM Shehbaz Sharif both reaffirmed this principle. The Prime Minister, hosting Sheikh Salman at the PM House, said Pakistan is committed to reviving and modernizing football across all regions — including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
“We aim to strengthen football from the grassroots to the national stage,” PM Shehbaz said. “Pakistan aspires to host AFC tournaments and international fixtures in the near future.”
Sheikh Salman welcomed the vision, promising AFC’s “full support in building a sustainable football ecosystem that benefits players, coaches, and fans alike.”
Day Three: The Roadmap for the Future
At a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside Mohsin Gilani and PM’s Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Sheikh Salman emphasized unity and forward-thinking.
“Pakistan must forget the past and focus on the present and future,” he declared. “This country of 250 million has immense potential. Football can be a tool for social cohesion, discipline, and national pride.”
He also touched on practical aspects — the long-delayed Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL), which hasn’t been held since 2019. While discussions around whether it should be franchise-based or club-based continue, Sheikh Salman advised caution.
“It’s a local decision,” he said. “But it must be professional — not a three-month showpiece. Let’s build step by step. A proper league is the first step to real growth.”
Expert Insight: A Turning Point or a Familiar Promise?
Sports analysts in Pakistan are cautiously optimistic. Dr. Arif Jamal, a sports policy expert, noted:
“Pakistan football’s problem was never passion — it was governance. For once, the AFC, the government, and the PFF seem aligned. If this alignment continues, we might see sustainable development rather than temporary bursts of enthusiasm.”
Shared Accountability and Optimism
Throughout his visit, Sheikh Salman made one thing clear: Pakistan will receive AFC and FIFA support only if transparency and professionalism are ensured.
“Funds will come when everything is prepared in the right way,” he said. “We’ve set regulations for all 211 member nations, and Pakistan is no exception.”
His parting message captured both hope and realism:
“We don’t expect Pakistan to win the Asian Cup tomorrow. But if we can bring football to schools, to neighborhoods, to every child — that’s where the journey begins.”
A New Era Beckons
As Sheikh Salman’s four-day visit concluded, the mood around Pakistan football was markedly different: less about blame, more about rebuilding. The combination of government commitment, AFC backing, and a stable PFF leadership gives Pakistan a rare second chance.
If all parties live up to their words, the long-exiled dream of Pakistani football finally stepping onto the Asian stage may not be that far away.
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]