Ali Tareen Submits Club-Based Proposal to Revive Pakistan’s Domestic Football League

Ali Tareen Enters Bid to Revive Pakistan's Domestic Football League with Club-Focused Vision
Ali Imran Chattha Islamabad,( Nazrana Times)

Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Khan Tareen has submitted a proposal to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) for a new professional domestic league, positioning it as a sustainable alternative to franchise-based models.
The PFF, led by President Syed Mohsen Gilani (also referred to as Mohsin Gilani), has prioritized reviving a "modern and fully professional" league after a five-year gap since the last Pakistan Premier League in 2019. Gilani emphasized a careful approach: "This league will not be rushed; it will be done the right way." Bids will be presented on December 29, with the PFF selecting a partner shortly after.
Competing Visions
Ali Tareen's Proposal (Club-Based Model):
A six-month season-long league with home-and-away fixtures.
Equity ownership for teams.
Two clubs per major city to create local derbies and rivalries.
Mandatory women's teams for each club, with their matches as curtain-raisers on the same day (inspired by international formats).
Focus on long-term development, fan loyalty, and club culture—explicitly rejecting a "flashy, one-month cash-grab tournament."
Franchise-Based Proposals:
Global Soccer Ventures (GSV): Previously launched a proposed "Pakistan Football League" (PFL) modeled on the PSL, with a shorter format.
Zabe Khan (former GSV associate): A separate bid for a franchise league lasting 1-1.5 months.
Tareen's entry follows his recent exit from the PSL, where the PCB did not renew Multan Sultans' franchise amid disputes. Analysts view his bid as challenging Pakistan's franchise-dominated sports model, with some endorsing a European-style season-long approach for sustained growth.
The PFF also seeks revival of departmental teams for player job security, underscoring broader challenges in stabilizing football infrastructure.
The December 29 decision will shape Pakistan football's future: a short-term spectacle or a foundational club ecosystem.