He studied up to FA level, and started his football career with Bata Club of Lahore at the age of 15, where he played from 1978 till 1982.

[3] He also featured against a team of South-West German Football Association which arrived in Pakistan on 3 January 1983 on a six day tour.

[8] Mukhtar made his senior international debut with Pakistan at the 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualification held in Calcutta, later playing at the 1984 Merdeka Tournament.

Mukhtar was once again handed the captaincy in the 1987 South Asian Games in India, helping the team achieve the bronze medal.

[4][10][11][12] He also played as captain at the 1988 AFC Asian Cup qualification in Kuala Lumpur, marking his final appearances with the national team.