KARACHI: Prominent footballer and CEO of Garrison Football Academy, Arif Shahzad, has been elected as an executive member of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) from Sindh in the federation’s recently held elections.
Shahzad, who resides in Malir Cant, Karachi and runs the Garrison Football Academy in the city, secured 13 votes in the election held on May 27, 2025, in Lahore, the first PFF elections in nearly a decade.
He was warmly welcomed upon his return to Karachi by football enthusiasts, supporters, family, and friends who celebrated his success and contribution to the sport.
The elections also saw former FIFA development officer Mohsen Gilani elected as the new president of the PFF. Gilani secured 13 out of 24 votes from the PFF Congress.
Pakistan’s football governance had been in turmoil since the last elections in 2015, marred by internal conflicts and administrative paralysis. In 2019, FIFA appointed a Normalisation Committee to restore order and prepare for fresh elections, but it took six more years for the process to be completed.
Founded in 1947, the Pakistan Football Federation is the national governing body for football. It is affiliated with FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). The federation also manages the national futsal and beach soccer teams.
