PAKISTAN is preparing to launch a new professional, club-based football league tailored to local conditions rather than modelled on overseas franchise systems, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) president Mohsen Gilani, has said.
Speaking to Geo News in Karachi on Monday, Gilani explained that the proposed competition would be commercially driven and feature teams from across the country, but would not adopt the franchise structure used in leagues such as the Pakistan Super League or Indian Premier League.
He added that the league would be built on traditional club foundations to promote long-term sustainability and strengthen grassroots development. Gilani noted that the federation’s immediate priorities remain the improvement of the national men’s and women’s teams, alongside upgrades to infrastructure and governance.
Pakistan recently appointed former Peru international Norberto Solano as head coach. Solano is expected to hold a national training camp soon to prepare for the upcoming fixture against Myanmar, although the Ramadan period has made it difficult to arrange preparatory friendlies.
Gilani also highlighted efforts to improve football infrastructure, including the installation of mini-pitches across the country. Two have already been completed, he said, adding that the president of FIFA is expected to visit Pakistan in the near future. He noted that his previous relationships within FIFA and with other federations had helped ease administrative challenges for the PFF, enabling cooperation in the training of players, coaches and referees.
Pakistan’s football activities were suspended for nearly a decade due to internal disputes and FIFA interventions.
Addressing the issue of overseas-based players, Gilani said the divide between diaspora and locally based footballers needed to end.
He added that measurable improvement in results could be expected within two years, pointing to the progress of the under-17 team as evidence of a strengthening talent pipeline, while noting that the women’s programme has also produced encouraging results in recent months.
