Haroon Malik’s tenure as Chairman of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalization Committee (NC) has officially ended. He is set to leave office on February 15, 2025, making way for his successor, Saud Hashmi, who previously served as a member of the NC under Haroon’s leadership.

When Haroon took charge in January 2021, there was cautious optimism that he might finally steer Pakistan football out of its long-standing crisis—marked by election delays, internal power struggles, and administrative disarray. However, as his tenure comes to an end, opinions on his performance remain deeply divided.

Haroon Malik’s Contributions: A Mixed Legacy

Haroon Malik often highlights his achievements during his tenure. He claims to have played a key role in bringing international football back to Pakistan, providing direction to the PFF, initiating the process for long-overdue PFF elections, and reviving the country’s football ecosystem. Additionally, he emphasizes his efforts in integrating overseas Pakistani footballers into the national team setup.

While these contributions sound promising, the true measure of his impact remains a subject of debate. History will ultimately judge whether his tenure was a step forward for Pakistan football or just another chapter in its prolonged turmoil.

The Unfulfilled Promise: PFF Elections and Lingering Crisis

The primary responsibility of the Normalization Committee was to conduct PFF elections, bringing an end to the prolonged crisis. However, despite being in office for over four years, Haroon Malik failed to accomplish this fundamental task.

Under his leadership, the PFF introduced the Football Connect program, an initiative to register clubs nationwide and elect provincial representatives who would eventually vote in the PFF presidential elections. While this was seen as a step in the right direction, it failed to materialize into actual elections.

FIFA repeatedly pushed for elections, but the NC continued to delay the process, citing various reasons. Ultimately, the lack of progress led to further frustration from FIFA and the broader footballing community in Pakistan.

A Legacy Marred by Controversy

The final blow to Haroon Malik’s tenure came when the newly elected PFF Congress rejected FIFA and AFC’s proposed amendments to the PFF constitution. FIFA sought to broaden the scope of election participation, allowing individuals who had been actively involved in football affairs for at least two of the past five years to contest for PFF presidency.

Malik was reportedly in favor of this amendment, as it would have allowed him to run for PFF president himself. However, the newly elected Congress overwhelmingly rejected the proposal, fearing that it would open the doors for political and military establishment figures to take control of the federation. FIFA strongly criticized this decision, calling it an attempt to undermine democracy within the PFF election process.

As a result, FIFA imposed yet another ban on the PFF—the third since 2017. This development further cemented Pakistan’s reputation as a nation struggling to establish stable football governance.

What Led to Haroon Malik’s Departure?

Following FIFA’s latest ban on the PFF, Haroon Malik announced his departure. Sources suggest that he believes his role is complete and that he no longer wishes to continue as NC chairman. However, other reports indicate that FIFA itself may have lost confidence in his leadership and decided to sideline him due to his inability to conduct elections.

As Pakistan football stands at yet another crossroads, the big question remains: Will Saud Hashmi be able to deliver where Haroon Malik failed? And more importantly, will Pakistan ever see a fully functioning, democratically elected football federation?

Let us know your thoughts on these latest developments in Pakistan football.

Related: Who is Haroon Malik? Decoding the Man Shaping Pakistan’s Football Future