KARACHI, Dec 5: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has named Agha Liaquat as organizing secretary in place of Lt-Col Mujahid Ullah Khan. President PFF Faisal Saleh Hayat appointed said the decision had been taken in consultation with chairman of the organizing committee Maj-Gen Javed Zia for better coordination.

“Since Agha Liaquat was also in the local organizing committee, we have decided to make him the secretary of the organizing committee. However, he would do as told and will not have sweeping powers,” Faisal told Dawn.

“PFF and I being the president of the federation will be in charge of all the affairs and Liaquat will be there to execute the orders,” the official said.

Asked why Liaquat, who belongs to Balochistan, had been chosen for the job, while vice-president PFF Abbas Baloch was also in local organizing committee and chairman of Sindh Football Association, Faisal said: “Agha Liaquat is our senior vice-president that’s why we appointed him instead of Abbas.”

Faisal admitted Liaquat had been a controversial figure, saying “I know all about his controversial past. But this is my endeavour to get rid of politics from soccer I believe we will run the show smoothly.”

PFF chief also defended the decision of appointing Tariq Lutfi, as team manager, saying “I agree he has been involved in some controversies but since we have increased the activity I hope things will move positively.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan team, practising in Karachi for the past five days at Aga Khan Gymkhana or City District Government Karachi (CDGK) Stadium, failed to gain advantage of home ground. The team hardly practised at the venue for a couple of days.

Faisal says the team could not practice at the venue – People’s Sports Complex — since work is still in progress on pitch. He hoped the team will soon start practising at the complex to get the feel of the surface.