ISLAMABAD: Hafiz Zaka, a leading contender for the presidency of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), has firmly rejected reports suggesting he has withdrawn/withheld a pre-election understanding with Mohsen Gilani, terming such claims as “false and misleading.”
In an exclusive conversation with The News, Zaka clarified that the agreement reached between the two groups ahead of last year’s PFF elections remains intact and unchanged. “Whatever understanding was reached stands as it is. There is and will be no deviation from it,” he asserted.
Zaka, however, refrained from disclosing specific details of the arrangement, while emphasizing that recent media reports had misquoted him and misinterpreted a meeting held earlier this week. “I was misquoted, and the proceedings of Tuesday’s meeting were wrongly portrayed by a section of the press,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to the accord, Zaka stressed the importance of unity and pragmatism in steering Pakistan football forward. “Our agreement stands, and there will be no change whatsoever. Pakistan football cannot afford further misadventures. We must move forward with clarity, mutual respect, and a shared sense of responsibility,” he added.
Highlighting the need for harmony among stakeholders, Zaka warned that conflicts arise when legitimate rights are overlooked. “Progress is only possible when all parties honour the understanding already reached. Any attempt to sideline rightful stakeholders only creates unnecessary hurdles,” he noted.
Underscoring the broader challenges facing the sport, Zaka called for stability across all levels of the federation. “The PFF needs stability on all fronts to promote the game effectively. Every stakeholder must contribute towards building a stronger, results-driven football structure. True stability lies in mutual understanding and acceptance of each other’s mandate, which is essential for the game’s sustainable growth,” he maintained. The News has previously reported that under the agreement between Mohsen Gilani and Hafiz Zaka, the former is expected to assume the PFF presidency after the incumbent completes one year in office. Prior to that, a meeting is to be convened to elect Zaka as Senior Vice President of the federation.
