Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) Normalisation Committee (NC) has almost completed its task assigned by the world football governing body.

It must be remembered why FIFA was compelled to appoint the Normalisation Committee.

It was because of infighting and politics in the football federations in the past. The national footballers’ careers were destroyed.

There was no proper infrastructure and no encouragement of the footballers at the grass-roots level all over the country whether it was Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, KPK or other parts of the country.

As such the Normalisation Committee was assigned the job for a particular time to control the game in a proper manner and ultimately hold independent and fair elections before finally handing over the PFF to truly-elected representatives.

Although the PFF NC’s main role is to hold elections, it was also its duty to keep Pakistan’s football going without any hurdle which included holding of national events and ensuring Pakistan’s participation in international events.

The PFF NC has been controlling the PFF affairs since 2021. The Haroon Malik-led NC started its tenure on 1st June 2022 which was due till June 15, 2023. They got first extension on June 15, 2023, till March 15, 2024. They got another extension on March 15, 2024, which is to end in December 2024. PFF NC promised to complete its real mandate that is to hold PFF elections in a free and fair manner.

Now with only a little time left in the PFF NC’s tenure we are to see if it has been able to do its jobs properly — managing day-to-day football affairs properly and holding free and fair elections of PFF.

Haroon Ahmed Malik, who took charge of PFF NC in June 2022, no doubt emerged as a beacon of hope in the nation’s football landscape. His unwavering dedication and transformative leadership have breathed new life into a sport that was once on the brink of oblivion.

It must be remembered that for decades, Pakistan football was plagued by mismanagement and political interference. The national team languished in the FIFA rankings, and domestic football was a shadow of its former glory. However, it was a turning point for the game as Haroon came to the helm of affairs of Pakistan football.

PFF NC then on started its task assigned by FIFA i.e. to overhaul Pakistan football. The ad hoc body tackled the deep-rooted issues with a combination of strategic planning and determination.

One of the first challenges Malik’s NC faced was to restore credibility and transparency. It implemented stringent financial controls, ensuring that every penny was accounted for. This move not only curbed corruption but also instilled a sense of trust among the stakeholders.

To revitalise the sport at the grassroots level, NC initiated a nationwide youth development programme. By identifying and nurturing young talent, he aims to build a strong foundation for the future of Pakistan football. The programme has already shown promising results, with young players emerging from various parts of the country.

Another significant achievement of the NC has been the revival of women’s football. Women’s participation was actively promoted in the sport. The NC organised leagues and provided opportunities for female players to showcase their talent. This initiative has not only empowered women but has also added a new dimension to Pakistan football.

The present PFF’s journey has been fraught with challenges. It faced opposition from vested interests who were resistant to change. However, due to NC’s unwavering commitment to reforms helped it to overcome almost all hurdles.

One of the major hurdles has been the lack of infrastructure. To address this NC spearheaded efforts to build new stadiums and training facilities across the country. These investments will not only improve the playing conditions for players but will also attract international events to Pakistan.

Another challenge has been the limited financial resources. To overcome this, PFF NC secured sponsorships and partnerships with various organisations. These partnerships have provided the necessary funds to implement the committee’s ambitious plans.

Moreover, Malik’s heading of PFF NC also injected a new sense of optimism into Pakistan football. His tireless efforts have not only transformed the federation but have also inspired the nation. The recent success of the national team is a testament to his visionary approach.

As the normalisation process nears completion and the committee is set to hand over PFF reins to an elected body, the future of Pakistan football looks promising.

With a strong foundation in place, the country is poised to become a force to be reckoned with in the global football arena. PFF NC’s, and of course Malik’s, legacy will be remembered as a turning point in the history of Pakistan football.