LHC issues stay order on PFF elections

PFF president Faisal Saleh Hayat's petition to postpone the process gets approval from the court

KARACHI: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued a stay order on the yearly Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) elections which were supposed to be held on Tuesday, Express News reported.

The LHC ordered the parties involved to appear before the court on July 7 for final hearing.

The long-standing PFF president Faisal Saleh Hayat filed a petition in the LHC stating that some representatives were missing from the process and the elections should be postponed.

The LHC accepted his petition and invited both parties to appear in court to discuss the matter.

Earlier, Hayat accused his opponents Arshad Lodhi and Col Farasat Ali Shah of being ‘sports terrorists’ at a press conference on June 22.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Hayat said that Arshad and Farasat raided the PFF headquarters on Sunday, June 21, forcing secretary Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi and the PFF staff to leave the building.

According to Ahmed, the offices were attacked by 200 men accompanied by Arshad and Farasat, who staked claims at the headquarters as president and secretary, posts which came as a result of being elected by the Extra-Ordinary Congress in a meeting which took place on June 16 in Islamabad.

Read: PFF reportedly removes Faisal Saleh Hayat as president over embezzlement

“Its sports terrorism,” said Hayat. “It’s absolutely unconstitutional and more importantly, what does it say about these people. If this is how they will run the federation then should one forget about discipline and fair play altogether?”

Hayat added that there is no legitimacy to Arshad and Farasat’s claims as both individuals have been suspended by the PFF and banned by FIFA.

The chief added the PFF elections would take place as planned on June 30. “Elections will be held on schedule. They can take over the building, but they aren’t recognised by FIFA or the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).”

According to Hayat, he has been in constant touch with FIFA and AFC officials, updating them about the situation. He added that there are signs the Punjab Sports Board is backing the other group.

“I’m sure the group is being backed by the government because no one can just break into the building as it is located in a sensitive area,” explained Hayat, while saying that he would go to court and take legal action against them.

Read: ‘Do not interfere in football federation’s affairs’

“These people took over the building, claiming they have the majority of the congress behind. If that is the case then why did they appeal in the Lahore High Court for a delay in the elections?”