ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) officially launched a comprehensive strategic roadmap for female sports on Friday, with PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani declaring that "every year will be the year of women's football in Pakistan."
The announcement was made during the historic, first-ever PFF Women’s Football Symposium held in Islamabad. The landmark event united sports executives, government officials, and international development sectors to establish a sustainable framework for the sport under the newly elected PFF administration.
Building a Sustainable Women's Football Ecosystem
During his keynote address, Mr. Gilani emphasized that developing women's football in Pakistan requires looking far beyond international tournaments and national team selection.
"Women’s football cannot only be about the national team; it is also about the ecosystem — players, coaches, referees, and fans," Mr. Gilani stated. "It’s not about glam and gloss, there has to be substance."
The PFF president also advocated for female representation in sports governance, asserting that women should directly lead female football structures nationwide. He noted that Pakistan's recent progress was recognized globally, becoming "the talk of the town" at the recent FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
Government and Grassroots Initiatives Revealed
The event featured high-profile backing from the Pakistani government and international athletic bodies. Chief Guest Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto (Member of the National Assembly) praised the national team's recent milestones, including their FIFA Series campaign and AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers.
To ensure long-term talent pipelines, Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani (Secretary IPC and Pakistan Sports Board Director General) announced an upcoming national schoolgirls football tournament. The Pakistan Sports Board pledged dedicated institutional support to resolve systemic infrastructure challenges.
Key areas of development pledged by the board include:
Guaranteed access to high-quality football grounds and training facilities.
The provision of professional-grade athletic equipment to clubs.
Logistical and transport support for regional female tournaments.
Global Backing for the Strategic Vision
FIFA Head of Development Ariana Demirovic praised Pakistan's accelerating presence on the international stage. She reiterated the global governing body's commitment to funding and supporting the PFF's long-term development initiatives.
The event concluded with a presentation by PFF Head of Women’s Football Mejzgaan Orakzai, who outlined the federation's operational vision. Panels featuring UN Women, Right To Play, and media representatives concluded that securing safe playing spaces and training certified female coaches remain the immediate priorities for the sport's survival.
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