ZURICH: The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has officially lifted the suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), allowing the country to rejoin international football activities.
The suspension was revoked on March 2, 2025, after the PFF Congress unanimously approved the constitutional amendments proposed by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Shahid Khokhar, a member of the PFF Normalisation Committee, confirmed the development, stating that Pakistan can now participate in global football events.
FIFA had initially suspended the PFF on February 6, 2025, due to its resistance to constitutional reforms, particularly those related to the electoral process. The newly elected PFF Congress had rejected FIFA and AFC’s proposed amendments, leading to the ban. However, after further negotiations, the Congress ratified the changes on February 27, ensuring compliance with FIFA’s governance requirements.
This is not the first time PFF has faced sanctions. In April 2021, FIFA imposed a ban due to third-party interference, which was lifted in June 2022 after the PFF Normalisation Committee regained control over its affairs.
With the latest suspension lifted, Pakistan’s football community is hopeful for a fresh start, focusing on development and international participation.
