KARACHI: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Mohsen Gillani on Monday said Pakistan was planning to launch a new professional, club-based football league tailored to local requirements, aimed at reviving the sport after years of disruption.
Speaking to Geo News in Karachi, Gillani said the proposed league would be commercial in nature and include teams from across the country but would not replicate foreign franchise models.
“This will neither be PSL-style nor ISL-style. It will be PFF-style,” he said, adding that the competition would be structured around existing clubs to ensure long-term sustainability and grassroots development.
Gillani said the federation’s immediate priority remained strengthening the national men’s and women’s teams along with improving infrastructure and governance.
He noted that Pakistan had recently appointed former Peru international Norberto Solano as head coach, who would soon hold a national training camp in preparation for the upcoming fixture against Myanmar. He added that Ramadan had made it difficult to arrange preparatory matches.
Referring to recent performances, Gillani said Pakistan had competed well against higher-ranked Afghanistan and expressed confidence about the upcoming match.
He emphasised that team selection would remain the sole prerogative of the coach, with the federation providing full support.
Highlighting infrastructure development, Gillani said mini-pitches were being installed across the country, with two already completed, adding that the president of FIFA was expected to visit Pakistan soon.
Pakistan’s football activities had remained suspended for nearly a decade due to internal disputes and FIFA interventions, he said, adding that improved coordination with international bodies was helping rebuild administrative capacity and training systems for players, coaches and referees.
On regional engagement, Gillani said Pakistan and India had recently participated in SAFF futsal events in a positive atmosphere and football could serve as a bridge between the two neighbouring countries. He also confirmed consultations with the government regarding participation in the SAFF Championship.
Gillani said overseas-based players eligible under FIFA rules would be treated equally with locally based footballers, stressing that performance improvements could become visible within two years, particularly with encouraging progress in youth and women’s football.
“We are hopeful that in two years, Pakistan football will be on the rise, especially women’s football,” he added.