Lahore Gymkhana Club, spread over 1,030 kanals, one marla and 80 feet, pays just Rs 5,000 per annum as a 'token rent' to the provincial government, it has emerged.
It was revealed as the Lahore High Court dismissed a plea of the LGC against the directives by the Punjab Information Commission, seeking details of the land leased and the record of the donors.
The club had been directed to provide the said information to citizens under laws related to transparency and right to information.
On the club's refusal to provide the same, Advocate Abdullah Malik and others had approached the PIC.
Dismissing the plea, Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad observed that according to the the lease deed of June 12, 1996, the land measuring 1,030 kanals, one marla and 80 feet in mauza Mian Mir on Upper Mall, Lahore, was granted to the club on a 50-year lease from 2000 to 2050 for a just Rs5,000 per annum.
The judge further noted that the land exists in one of the most premium and expensive areas of Lahore.
The PIC, the court observed, assessed the value of the leased land to be an estimated Rs15 billion, which had not been denied by the petitioner before the court.
The property, comprising sports grounds, including a golf course, were provided by Punjab government.
The granting of land worth billions of rupees almost free of charge by the state is an enormous benefit to the recipient, and cannot be described as a charge at all, the court said.
"The land in question clearly amounts to financial assistance by the government," the judge maintained.
According to a report published in Dec 2021, Lahore Gymkhana has told its members to ensure that their ‘private servants and maids’ do not enter the premises. In a notification issued on December 9, the Gymkhana administration said that it was observed that the clause of the Gymkhana rules that bans entry of ‘private servants and maids’ was being violated.
“Members are therefore requested to please note and ensure that Maids and Servants are not allowed beyond CAR PARKING AREA,” the letter said. It also warned the members that their membership would be suspended in case of violations.
A photo of the said letter went viral on social media, with people terming the ban on helpers a form of ‘colonial hangover’.
Some social media said the government should take action against it for this discriminatory policy.
It was revealed as the Lahore High Court dismissed a plea of the LGC against the directives by the Punjab Information Commission, seeking details of the land leased and the record of the donors.
The club had been directed to provide the said information to citizens under laws related to transparency and right to information.
On the club's refusal to provide the same, Advocate Abdullah Malik and others had approached the PIC.
Dismissing the plea, Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad observed that according to the the lease deed of June 12, 1996, the land measuring 1,030 kanals, one marla and 80 feet in mauza Mian Mir on Upper Mall, Lahore, was granted to the club on a 50-year lease from 2000 to 2050 for a just Rs5,000 per annum.
The judge further noted that the land exists in one of the most premium and expensive areas of Lahore.
The PIC, the court observed, assessed the value of the leased land to be an estimated Rs15 billion, which had not been denied by the petitioner before the court.
The property, comprising sports grounds, including a golf course, were provided by Punjab government.
The granting of land worth billions of rupees almost free of charge by the state is an enormous benefit to the recipient, and cannot be described as a charge at all, the court said.
"The land in question clearly amounts to financial assistance by the government," the judge maintained.
According to a report published in Dec 2021, Lahore Gymkhana has told its members to ensure that their ‘private servants and maids’ do not enter the premises. In a notification issued on December 9, the Gymkhana administration said that it was observed that the clause of the Gymkhana rules that bans entry of ‘private servants and maids’ was being violated.
“Members are therefore requested to please note and ensure that Maids and Servants are not allowed beyond CAR PARKING AREA,” the letter said. It also warned the members that their membership would be suspended in case of violations.
A photo of the said letter went viral on social media, with people terming the ban on helpers a form of ‘colonial hangover’.
Some social media said the government should take action against it for this discriminatory policy.