Islamabad, 31st August, 2026; The 14th meeting of the Standing Committee on Inter Provincial Coordination was held today under the Acting Chairmanship of Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, MNA at 11:30 a.m. in Committee Room No. 7, Parliament House, Islamabad to review the current status of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), its electoral process and coordination with FIFA, as well as the overall development of sports in the country.

The Director General of the Pakistan Football Federation briefed the Committee on the current status of the Federation and its electoral process. The Committee was informed that, in accordance with FIFA’s directions and the prescribed procedure, elections of the Pakistan Football Federation were conducted and a new body was constituted, which is currently functional. The Committee was informed that, in accordance with FIFA’s directions and International Best Practices, necessary amendments to the Constitution of the Pakistan Football Federation are required to bring its constitutional and administrative framework into greater alignment with FIFA’s requirements and international standards. The newly elected body is expected to ensure the required compliance and implementation of FIFA’s directions. He further emphasized that special attention to grassroots-level football development is essential for the promotion of the sport, identification of new talent and development of players in the country. Subsequently, the Provincial Secretaries of Sports from all provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), briefed the Committee on the measures taken in their respective regions for the promotion and development of sports, achievements in various sporting disciplines, ongoing initiatives and Talent Hunt Programmes. The Provincial Secretaries also briefed the Committee regarding the allocation and distribution of funds by the provincial governments for sports, players’ training and preparation, participation in various sporting activities, expenses incurred on athletes, as well as ongoing PSDP and other development programmes.

While acknowledging the briefings, the Committee emphasized the need for stronger and more effective measures for sports development at the grassroots level and for establishing a sustainable pipeline of talented athletes. The Committee stressed that the identification and Talent Hunt process should be expanded to the School, College, Tehsil, District and Division levels, so that talented players from different parts of the country, including remote and underserved areas, can be identified and provided with appropriate training, facilities and opportunities to progress to national and international levels and bring pride to Pakistan in the future.

The Committee further emphasized that provincial governments need to be effectively taken on board and that strong coordination, cooperation and communication between the PFF and provincial governments are essential. The Committee stressed that the sports sector should not be neglected and that adequate and need-based funds should be allocated for its development. Available resources should be utilized effectively and transparently, with particular focus on Talent Hunt Programmes, athletes’ training, coaching, sports facilities and participation in various national and international sporting activities.

Besides the officials of the Ministry and its attached departments the following MNAs namely, Mr. Babar Nawaz Khan, Mr. Waseem Qadir, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Haji Rasool Bux Chandio, Syeda Shehla Raza, Dr. Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto, Mr. Khushal Khan Kakar and Khawaja Izhar Ul Hassan attended the meeting.