ZURICH: The Fédération Internationale de Football (FIFA) has restored the international membership of Pakistan and has lifted all the bans on the football nation.
In the most recent development, the FIFA-designated Normalization Committee was able to successfully meet all the requirements, leading to an agreement by the football governing body to lift the ban on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).
The lifting of the ban has made the Pakistan Football Team eligible to compete in international competitions, and national-level football activities will also resume.
In an official statement released by FIFA, the governing body confirmed the uplifting of the ban, which was imposed over undue third-party influence.
“The Bureau of the FIFA Council decided on 29 June 2022 to lift the suspension that was imposed on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) in April 2021 due to undue third-party interference,” the statement read.
“The decision was taken after FIFA received confirmation that the normalisation committee of the PFF had regained full control of the PFF’s premises and was in a position to manage its finances,” the statement added.
FIFA’s nominated Normalization Committee will now begin the progress of holding the elections within the PFF, which was previously under illegal control by the Ashfaq Group.
In a video statement, Chairman NC Haroon Malik congratulated the nation for the uplifting of the ban and credited the tireless effort of the committee and the prayers of the football family.
“I would like to congratulate the nation as FIFA has uplifted the ban on Pakistan Football. I think it has become possible due to the tireless efforts of the Normalization Committee and the prayers of the Football family,” Haroon stated.
“FIFA has also extended the mandate of the NC by one year. Restoration of football, holding of PFF elections and return of assets will be the top priority,” he concluded.
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