ISLAMABAD: Dozens of Pakistani footballers, from the senior national team to youth and women’s squads, are still waiting for long-overdue payments related to international tournaments held over the past two years.
The delay has caused frustration and financial strain among players, many of whom rely on match earnings as their primary income source.
The responsibility to clear these dues lies with the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee (NC), currently overseeing the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) affairs.
However, with the committee’s mandate set to expire on July 31, time is rapidly running out for action.
Tournaments with Unpaid Dues
According to Zeeshan Shafi, several payments remain pending, including match fees and allowances from events such as:
-
2023 Mauritius Four Nations Cup
-
Friendlies against Syria and Myanmar
-
2024 AFC U-23 Qualifiers in Bahrain
-
2023 SAFF U-19 Championship in Nepal
-
Two U-17 international tournaments (only one reportedly settled)
This backlog affects multiple age categories, reflecting broader mismanagement in PFF’s handling of player welfare.
A Moment of Reckoning for the NC
The NC was tasked with stabilizing Pakistan’s fractured football administration.
But as the payment issue drags on, it highlights the very dysfunction the committee was meant to resolve.
For newly appointed PFF leadership under Mohsin Gilani, clearing these dues would not only offer relief to athletes but also signal a new era of accountability and professionalism.
Unless resolved swiftly, this situation risks further damaging the morale and trust of players who have continued to represent the country under difficult circumstances.
