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Ali Tareen has emerged as a surprise bidder for Pakistan’s new football league, competing with franchise-based proposals as PFF weighs long-term revival of domestic football.
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Pakistan Premier Football League
Ali Tareen Among Three Bidders in Race to Get PFF’s Nod for New League
Pakistan football stands at a critical crossroads as three competing bids — including a surprise entry from Ali Tareen, the former owner of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans — vie for approval to launch a new domestic football league.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), under its newly installed leadership, is preparing to decide which vision will shape the future of the sport in a country that has gone six years without a fully functional national league.
At stake is not just another sporting event, but the entire domestic ecosystem of football in Pakistan.
PFF Invites Proposals to Revive Domestic Football
Last month, the Pakistan Football Federation formally invited expressions of interest (EOIs) from individuals and organisations willing to invest in and operate a football league.
The move was widely seen as a long-overdue attempt to revive Pakistan’s broken domestic football structure, which has struggled with:
- Governance crises
- International suspensions
- Lack of professional competitions
- Player exodus and stagnation
Since the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) last ran in 2019, local football has been reduced to sporadic tournaments and informal competitions.
Ali Tareen Emerges as a Surprise Contender
Among the bidders, Ali Tareen’s name immediately stood out.
Known primarily for his involvement in cricket — particularly as the former owner of Multan Sultans — Tareen’s entry into football surprised many observers.
Confirming his submission on the final day, Tareen revealed that his proposal deliberately breaks away from the franchise tournament model.
“I have proposed a season-long (six-month) league for Pakistan football, not a flashy, one-month cash-grab tournament,” Tareen wrote on X.
The remark was widely interpreted as a direct jab at franchise-based league proposals, which he believes prioritise short-term revenue over sustainable growth.
A Club-Based Vision: League Over Tournament
Ali Tareen’s proposal emphasizes long-term football development rather than short bursts of commercial activity.
Key Features of Tareen’s Proposal
- Six-month season-long league
- Home-and-away fixtures
- Equity ownership for teams
- Two clubs per major city to create derbies
- Mandatory women’s teams, playing before men’s matches
- Club identities rooted in communities rather than franchises
Tareen summarized his philosophy bluntly:
“League > Tournament.”
This model mirrors European-style club football, focusing on:
- Fan loyalty
- Youth development
- Competitive integrity
- Long-term asset value
Pakistan’s Football Vacuum Since 2019
Pakistan’s domestic football decline has been stark.
The 2019 Pakistan Premier Football League featured:
- Departmental teams
- A limited number of private clubs
- Minimal broadcast exposure
After that season:
- No national league took place
- Players lost competitive opportunities
- Clubs collapsed financially
- National team performances suffered
The absence of a structured league has been repeatedly cited as the biggest obstacle to football’s growth in Pakistan.
Franchise League Proposals: A Competing Vision
Tareen is not alone in the race.
Two other proposals submitted to the PFF are based on franchise-style leagues, inspired largely by the PSL model.
1. Global Soccer Ventures (GSV)
Global Soccer Ventures (GSV) has been the most vocal proponent of a franchise-based football league.
- Proposed name: Pakistan Football League
- Launch event held in Lahore in June last year
- Featured international stars, including Michael Owen
- Claims to have sold five of eight franchises
GSV’s model involves:
- City-based franchises
- Short tournament window (about one month)
- Centralized venues
- Heavy commercial branding
Kaleemullah Backs GSV’s Role
Pakistan international footballer Kaleemullah, who was associated with GSV’s launch event, defended the company’s efforts.
“GSV revived interest in football when there was nothing happening locally,” Kaleemullah told Dawn.
He added:
“We have already sold our teams and we are ready to launch.”
Supporters of GSV argue that:
- Franchise leagues are easier to launch
- Require less long-term capital
- Generate immediate visibility and revenue
2. Zabe Khan’s Separate Franchise Proposal
The third bidder is Zabe Khan, formerly associated with GSV and previously the sports head at K-Electric.
Zabe parted ways with GSV after the launch event, amid allegations that contractual obligations were not honoured.
Though he has not publicly disclosed his financial backers, sources indicate that another investment group is supporting his bid.
Zabe Khan’s Proposal Highlights
- Franchise-based league
- Duration: 30 to 45 days
- Centralised competition format
Zabe argues that Pakistan needs multiple formats, not an either-or approach.
“We need both leagues — a franchise league and a club league,” he said.
Club League vs Franchise League: The Core Debate
At the heart of the bidding war lies a fundamental philosophical divide.
Franchise League Model
Pros
- Faster to implement
- Lower operational risk
- Attractive to sponsors
- Media-friendly
Cons
- Short-term focus
- Limited grassroots impact
- Weak club identity
- Players lack season-long competition
Club-Based League Model (Ali Tareen)
Pros
- Sustainable development
- Strong fan-club connections
- Youth pipelines
- Women’s football integration
Cons
- Higher initial investment
- Longer break-even period
- Requires stable governance
The PFF’s decision will determine what kind of football culture Pakistan wants to build.
Women’s Football: A Standout Feature in Tareen’s Plan
One of the most progressive elements of Ali Tareen’s proposal is the mandatory inclusion of women’s teams.
Inspired by England’s The Hundred, women’s matches would:
- Be played earlier on matchdays
- Share the same club identity
- Receive institutional support
This approach could:
- Accelerate women’s football development
- Increase visibility
- Normalize gender inclusion in Pakistani sport
Few domestic football initiatives in Pakistan have prioritized women’s football at this scale.
Lessons from PSL: What Ali Tareen Brings
Ali Tareen’s PSL experience offers valuable lessons.
While Multan Sultans were denied renewal by the Pakistan Cricket Board last month, Tareen:
- Built one of the PSL’s strongest teams
- Invested heavily in grassroots cricket
- Developed fan engagement strategies
He now seeks to apply those operational insights to football — while deliberately avoiding PSL’s franchise-heavy pitfalls.
PFF’s New Leadership and Strategic Reset
The decision comes at a time when the PFF itself is undergoing transformation.
Under Mohsen Gilani, the federation has pledged to:
- Restore governance credibility
- Avoid rushed decisions
- Prioritize sustainability
Speaking recently, Mohsen emphasized caution:
“This league will not be rushed; it will be done the right way.”
December 29: Decision Day Approaches
All three bidders are scheduled to:
- Deliver detailed presentations
- Appear before the Mohsen Gilani-led PFF
- Present financial, operational, and developmental roadmaps
The meeting on December 29 is expected to shape Pakistan football’s trajectory for the next decade.
What’s at Stake for Pakistani Football
The stakes extend far beyond a single league.
A Successful League Could:
- Revive club football
- Create professional pathways for players
- Improve national team performance
- Attract sponsors and broadcasters
- Restore fan trust
A Poorly Executed League Could:
- Collapse financially
- Further damage credibility
- Discourage future investors
This decision could be transformational — or disastrous.
Voices From the Football Community
Players, coaches, and fans remain divided.
- Some prefer immediate action via franchise leagues
- Others demand structural reform through club football
Former players have repeatedly warned that short tournaments alone cannot fix systemic issues.
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