Punjab Assembly Convenes Special Public Committee Hearing on Gymkhana Club Lease Terms
Lahore, September 30, 2024 — In a historic move, the Punjab Assembly today held a special public committee hearing to review the lease terms of the prestigious Gymkhana Club, located on 117 acres of prime land in the heart of Lahore. The session marked the first time in nearly 100 years that committee proceedings were live broadcast, with journalists invited to attend, reflecting a broader push for transparency and accountability in legislative processes.
The hearing was convened under the revised Rules of Procedure, which allow committees greater power to address pressing public concerns through open hearings. The Special Committee No. 06, chaired by MPA Sami Ullah Khan (PP-145), was established following a motion raised by MPA Amjad Ali Javed on September 9, 2024, to investigate potential irregularities in the lease and management of the Gymkhana Club.
A key issue raised during the session was the exceptionally low annual rent paid by the Club, currently set at just Rs. 5000—an amount that pales in comparison to the estimated market value of the property, which experts estimate to be between Rs. 60-70 billion. Members noted that the rent, initially set at Rs. 1600 in the early 1900s, has not been adjusted to reflect the property’s true worth.
In addition, it was revealed that the Club occupies an additional 3.5 acres of agricultural land within Lawrence Gardens, a fact previously unaccounted for in lease documents. Concerns were also raised about construction activities on state land without the necessary permissions and the Club’s high membership fees, which generate significant revenue while it pays minimal rent to the state.
it was revealed that the Club occupies an additional 3.5 acres of agricultural land within Lawrence Gardens, a fact previously unaccounted for in lease documents
A further point of contention was the absence of audits on Gymkhana Club’s properties and financial operations. It was disclosed that the Club has consistently ignored inquiries from the Public Accounts Committee, raising serious questions about its financial accountability.
The committee has instructed relevant government departments to provide detailed responses on the financial discrepancies and to reassess the market value of the land. The Law Department has been tasked with reviewing lease agreements to explore potential legal avenues for recovering lost revenue. Representatives from the Gymkhana Club will also be summoned in the next session to address these concerns.
The Punjab Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that state assets are managed in the public’s best interest and stressed the importance of a transparent resolution in the forthcoming hearings.
