ISLAMABAD — With the disqualification of Zahir Shah by the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) Disciplinary Committee, the race for the presidency has taken an unpredictable turn, setting up a three-way contest that reflects the volatile dynamics of football governance in Pakistan.

As the deadline for nomination submissions closed at midnight on April 16, three candidates formally entered the race: Barrister Taha Alizai, Hafiz Zakaullah, and Mohsin Gilani. Each contender is backed by distinct power blocs—political, departmental, and football-centric—setting the stage for an intense electoral showdown on May 20, when votes will be cast not only for the presidency but also for vice presidents and executive committee members.

The Candidates and Their Coalitions

• Barrister Taha Alizai, aligned with the now-disqualified Zahir Shah group, is reportedly trying to maintain continuity for that faction.
• Hafiz Zakaullah, a Punjab-based candidate, is the lone figure whose support base lies entirely within the football community, rather than relying on departmental endorsements. His backers come exclusively from within the PFF Congress’s football “family”—a significant detail that underscores his grassroots appeal.
• Mohsin Gilani, a relatively new entrant, is said to be courting support from within government institutions. Sources suggest he is actively seeking backing from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and allegedly pressuring departments to swing their support in his favor.

Departmental Flip-Flops: A Damaging Trend

In the final hours before the deadline, the election process was marred by a wave of uncertainty and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. According to insiders, at least four departmental members of the PFF Congress issued and then abruptly rescinded letters of support, re-aligning themselves with different candidates under apparent pressure.

“Departments kept shifting their allegiance like a pendulum. Once pressure was applied from above, they withdrew one letter and issued another, often within hours. This kind of instability not only reflects poorly on these departments but also undermines the credibility of the electoral process itself,” a source familiar with the matter told The News.

The departments’ erratic behavior has drawn concern from international football bodies, which have long criticized Pakistan’s federated structure for relying heavily on politically influenced organizations rather than genuine football stakeholders.

The System at Stake

Under PFF election rules, any presidential candidate must have at least five endorsements from Congress members to qualify. These Congress members include a mix of provincial associations, government departments, and other stakeholders.

While departmental influence has historically played a decisive role in shaping PFF leadership, Zakaullah’s entry into the race—absent any such affiliations—offers a rare contrast. His candidacy highlights a growing schism between the entrenched bureaucracy and football’s grassroots, many of whom have grown weary of decades of political interference.

What’s Next?

The elections on May 20 will determine the new President of the PFF, three Vice Presidents, eight executive members (two from each province), and three members from government-affiliated organizations.

With power politics clearly in play and external pressures influencing the alignment of key votes, the outcome may not just decide who leads the federation—it may also signal whether Pakistani football is ready to move beyond the shadow of institutional control and embrace reform driven by those rooted in the game.

As the clock ticks down to election day, one thing is clear: the path to restoring credibility and stability in Pakistan football is just as contested as the presidency itself.