In recent years, the name Haroon Malik has garnered considerable attention within the realms of Pakistani football. Whether loved or loathed, it’s undeniable that anyone connected to the sport is familiar with his influence. However, the question remains: who exactly is Haroon Malik?
Chairman of the PFF Normalization Committee
Before stepping into his role as the chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalization Committee (NC) in January 2021, Malik was living in Canada. His appointment followed the resignation of former chair Humza Khan, who vacated his position in December 2020 amid a tumultuous period for the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). The federation was grappling with an internal crisis that culminated in a FIFA-imposed ban, primarily due to allegations that a faction led by Shafaq Hussain Shah had usurped the PFF headquarters. Fortunately, with the establishment of the PFF NC under Haroon Malik’s leadership, the ban was lifted, restoring FIFA’s trust in the PFF operations.
Haroon Malik’s Tech Ventures
Beyond football, Haroon Malik presents himself as a technology entrepreneur and investor on his LinkedIn profile. He identifies as the co-founder of several tech ventures, including Beyond Frontiers Inc. and Integrated Tech Sightline Inc.
Journey into Pakistani Football
Haroon Malik’s engagement with Pakistani football began to materialize in March 2020, when he posted photographs of his visit to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. During this visit, Malik indicated that he was there to explore “opportunities and ideas for Pakistan football.” While the trip was categorized as a “courtesy visit” by an AFC spokesperson, it marked the beginning of his involvement in Pakistan Football.
A self-proclaimed lifelong football fan, Malik has been involved with various clubs and sports-related initiatives from a young age. Additionally, he contributes to a social media platform called FCPK, which disseminates content focused on the landscape of Pakistani football.
In a recent podcast titled *How Does It Work?*, Malik shared that FIFA had approached him to join the normalization committee, a request he accepted with enthusiasm. He was subsequently elevated to the position of chairman. He emphasized that the primary objective of the PFF NC was to conduct elections within a timeline of 165 days per the PFF constitution, with the ultimate goal of transferring football governance to a newly elected administration.
Despite his claims, the elections have yet to occur due to several challenges, including the lack of proper registration for football clubs across the nation. Nevertheless, Malik takes pride in the NC’s achievements under his stewardship, claiming that thousands of clubs have been registered, thus facilitating the path toward upcoming PFF elections. He has also ruled out the possibility of contesting in the elections, stating that FIFA has advised against it, deeming that his candidacy could incite controversy.
Your Thoughts!
We invite you to share your opinions on Haroon Malik and his contributions to the development of football in Pakistan. What impact do you believe he will have moving forward? Join the conversation in the comments below!