May 25, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 08, 1428

LAHORE, May 24: A former secretary of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has challenged its decision to hold elections on July 14 and has threatened to move court if the federation violates a stay order issued against the Punjab Football Association (PFA) polls.

Arshad Khan Lodhi, heading one of the parties which obtained the stay-order, spoke to Dawn on Thursday to clarify the situation and said the PFF polls could only be held if the stay granted by the Lahore High Court PFA is reversed.

"Since the electoral college which will elect the new office-bearers of the PFF is not completed in the absence of the PFA members, the PFF cannot hold elections," said Arshad."I am writing a letter to the PFF to delay the elections otherwise I will move the court to get stay-order against the polls," he added.

The elections of the PFA were held in the last week of April but a group headed by Tariq Cheema got a stay order from LHC against the process of the elections. The next date of hearing of the case is May 28.

Though Arshad had been re-elected as PFA chairman in the elections, the LHC ordered the PFF not to announce the results of the election till a final decision of the court.

Arshad said he was also surprised that since the PFA elections were conducted by a PFF-appointed convener who was well informed about the whole situation, how could it announce the date for the polls.

The PFF elections had already been delayed for 15 days as according to the newly amended constitution of the federation it should be held on June 30.

According to the PFF constitution’s article 90 clause 'e', "The Provincial Football Associations, the Pakistan Football Referees Committee and the services organizations will intimate the names of their members for the PFF Congress (Electoral College) by May 15.

Clause f) Elections of the PFF shall take place and be completed by June 30th of the election year.”

Clause ‘g’ then states: “The new body of the PFF will take office and start functioning from Sept 1.”