Supreme Court To Hold Pakistan Football Federation Elections
KARACHI: On the acceptance of the appeal issued by Arshad Lodhi Group, the Supreme Court has decided to, itself, hold elections of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). The issue rose when Faisal Saleh Hayat, on 30th June 2015 was elected President of the PFF for the fourth time in a row, even though the Lahore High Court on the 29th of June (a day prior to the elections), had issued a stay order.
Following its verdict on the 2nd of February, the LHC ordered the Administrator of PFF to give control of the Federation to new officials. This directive was to be followed within seven days of the issuance of receipt of the official copy of the order. Subsequently, however, the aggrieved group (Arshad Lodhi) filed an appeal to the Supreme Court asking for elections to be held to elect new PFF office-bearers and suggested that the Administrator keep his position till elections are over.
Faisal Group, as of now has been asked to appear before the Supreme Court after a period of fifteen days.
Sources have reported that the LHC rejected Faisal Group’s appeal against the Administrator on the basis that it is the Administrator’s duty to approach the court with regards to this matter. Furthermore the group does not have the legal ability to file an appeal because, as the court stated, they have “…no authorization to file the writ petition, he has no locus standi to file the instant criminal original as well…”
The issue takes its roots in the events of 2015 when elections originally took place. The elections were viewed by the Arshad Lodhi Group as having contentious nature. The group then held a meeting with the PFF Congress in Islamabad, dismissed the PFF President Faisal Saleh Hayat and removed the Secretary of the Federation, Colonel Ahmad Yar Lodhi from position. PFF headquarters were seized by the group and consequently accounts were frozen. As a result of this upheaval, instruction issued by FIFA could not be followed either.
However, ultimately the apex court agreed to accept the appeal. Since Pakistani football is being neglected because of this issue among two groups, the matter cannot be delayed further. PFF could not take part in International tournaments since 2015 and neither could they host their premier league. The court hopes to resolve the matter efficiently and effectively.
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Asad Ali Palijo
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