Pakistan is on brink of having a football league

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan’s efforts to revive domestic football have attracted a trio of unexpected suitors as influential sports entrepreneurs Ali Tareen, Farhan Junejo and Zabe Khan submitted competing proposals to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to organise a new national league.
The federation invited expressions of interest in a bid to resurrect top-level competition after the traditional Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) lapsed in 2019. It has not hosted a significant domestic league since then.
Ali Khan Tareen: A well-known businessman and former Pakistan Super League (PSL) cricket franchise Multan Sultans owners, emerged as the most high-profile bidder. Tareen confirmed on deadline day that he had submitted a detailed league proposal to the PFF, emphasising long-term structure over short-term spectacle.
On a social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Tareen articulated his vision in a series of written remarks aimed at distinguishing his project from other franchise-style tournaments:
“I have proposed a season (six-month) long league for Pakistan football, not a flashy, one-month cash-grab tournament.”
He elaborated on his league model: “A proper league with home and away fixtures, equity ownership in the league for the teams, derbies with two clubs per city and mandatory women’s teams playing earlier on matchday like the Hundred (in England).”
Tareen concluded with a succinct slogan that captured his approach:
His comments underline a broader debate in Pakistani football circles about whether domestic competition should prioritise commercial franchise formats or adopt more traditional league structures with deeper community and club engagement.
Tareen’s entrance into the football domain follows a contentious period in cricket where he was unable to renew his PSL franchise after disagreements with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over governance and strategy.
Ferhan Junejo: Among the other bidders is Farhan Junejo. He is associated with the franchise-based Pakistan Football League (PFL) project launched in 2024 in Lahore which aimed to introduce a professional franchise football competition in Pakistan. Former England internationals and international partners were part of early promotional events tied to the PFL.
Junejo’s involvement in domestic football extends back to organised efforts to build a commercially viable league, including roles in leadership of the PFL-linked companies and outreach to international football stakeholders. He has previously pursued investment and organisational support to develop Pakistan football and has now placed a renewed expression of interest with the PFF for a sanctioned competition.
While his exact proposal details remain under review, Junejo’s track record suggests a preference for a franchise-oriented approach with international tie-ins and business structures aimed at professionalising Pakistan’s football landscape.
PFL Holdings: Zabe Khan: Technical director with a shorter format plan
The third bidder, Zabe Khan, has also positioned himself as a contender after previously serving in executive roles within football ventures, including with Global Soccer Ventures (GSV).
Khan’s proposal to the PFF reportedly favours a shorter franchise league running approximately one month to 45 days, designed to complement rather than replace longer seasonal competitions.
“We need both leagues; a franchise league and a club league,” he told local media.
All three contenders are scheduled to make detailed presentations to the PFF leadership on December 29 after which the federation is expected to select a partner to help develop Pakistan’s domestic football calendar. The PFF President Mohsen Gilani has emphasised the federation’s intent to build a durable and commercially sustainable league ecosystem.
The outcome could shape the trajectory of Pakistani football for years to come amid broader discussions about how best to harness commercial investment, community support and athletic development in a sport long overshadowed by cricket’s dominance in the country.
If you would like, I can also provide a shorter, more narrative feature story version or a social-media style recap of the bids and quotes.