LAHORE: The long-aw­a­ited elections of the Pak­istan Football Feder­ation have been delayed by a week and will now be held on May 27, the PFF Nor­malisation Committee ann­ounced in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Initially scheduled to be held on May 20 in Lahore, the NC said the elections were delayed due to the recent cross-border skirmishes between Pakistan and India.

“We wish to inform you that due to ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India the scheduling of the FIFA and Asian Foo­tball Confederation dele­g­ations have been impac­ted,” it said in a statement.

“These unforeseen and unfortunate circumstan­ces have also caused logistical and administrative challenges that have affected the organisation and coordination of the PFF Extraordinary Cong­ress scheduled for 20 May 2025 at 2.00 PM PKT, necessitating its postponement to a later date.

“The PFF Extraor­din­a­ry Congress will now be held on Tuesday May 27h May 2025 at the same venue in Lahore, as previously communicated via our letter dated 5th May, 2025. with the same agenda.

“We appreciate your understanding regarding these unavoidable circumstances that have led to this decision. We look forward to your participation in this significant chapter of PFF’s history as we proceed with the election of the 2025 PFF Executive Committee.”

The PFF has been under administrative control of a FIFA-appointed NC since 2019.

There is a three-way race for the PFF presidency with Taha Alizai, Mohsen Gilani and Hafiz Zakaullah vying to become the country’s first elected football chief in six years.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2025