Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan Railways Police on Friday morning broke into the city’s international sports venue, Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, and took charge of the premises despite stay orders in favour of the club’s management.

The staff held a protest demonstration outside club on Canal Road while the management decided to file contempt of court case against Railways Minister Khawja Saad Rafique and others.

According to details, around 300-400 Railway police officials entered the club through the main gate after manhandling the security guards. Upon entering the club, the Railway police forced all staff and members to leave the premises and sealed the vicinity.

Later, the staff held a protest demonstration outside the club and blocked the Canal Road for several hours, causing massive traffic jam in the surrounding areas. The employees and staff chanted slogans against Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and blamed him for sealing the club. They said that this act would not only lead to unemployment of over 550 employees and staff members, but would also affect 3,000 club members and 12,000 families.

Protesters urged the Pakistan Railways administration and the minister to think about the future of these employees and staff, as they would be facing problems over closure of the club.

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Amin Venus reached the spot and held talks with protestors to calm the situation. He invited representatives of RPGCC and Railway administration to his office for further dialogues. Talking to media on the occasion, he clarified that Punjab Police reached the spot only to maintain the law and order situation.

It is pertinent to mention that a civil court had issued a stay order in favour of RPGCC, restraining PR from engaging with the club. The next hearing of the case was scheduled on June 28.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, Railways Minister Khawja Saad Rafique said although the matter was in the court but no one had stopped Railways from taking action against a defaulter. “We have re-possessed our land on account of default and Railway Estate Development and Marketing Company (REDAMCO) office has been established to look after such matters.”

Those, who have booked a venue or hall for weddings and other events, should contact REDAMCO for redressal of their problems, Rafique said, adding that the RPGCC management was not paying the due amount despite issuance of several notices. He went on saying that the agreement was made in convenience of some ‘corrupt’ officers of Railways and the land was given on lease for 33 years. Later, he added, the lease duration was increased to 49 years while the lease for land also increased from 103 acres to 140 acres, illegally. He said 32 bungalows of Pakistan Railways, in the form of a colony, were demolished to increase the land and facilitate the company.

The minister alleged the club was not only selling liquor to the public, but was also compelling and encouraging people towards drinking, which was sheer violation of law. “We have acted as per the law and we are pursuing our case in the court,” Saad Rafique added.

However, Uzma Ramzan, wife of RPGCC owner, criticised the railway minister and termed the act of taking over the club as victory of the ‘Qabza’ Culture. On her Facebook account, she wrote, “Saad Rafique and his thugs have taken this too far – they have illegally taken over the Royal Palm this morning storming the place with his goons and railways people.”

She added, “The civil court had issued a restraining order stopping Railways from taking any action. Even though the next date for the hearing is June 28, his goons have illegally taken over the private club. This takeover is a complete violation of court orders against the owners, depriving 1,000 employees of attending work, and 3,000 honourable members of using the club.”

She urged the civil society to speak up against this, saying, “We are sick of this “Qabza Culture” and that this needs to stop.”

RPGCC was established in 2001 when Pakistan Railways leased its Railway Golf Club to Messers Maxcorp Husnain Pvt Ltd (MHPL), the owners of RPGCC for 49 years.

However, the Pakistan Railway claimed that the RPGCC management failed to clear their dues even after being notified several times. They also claimed that land of PR was illegally given to the RPGCC management. PR CEO Javed Anwar told media that PR took control of the club only after sending multiple unanswered notices to club. He informed that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was also probing the matter.

According to the agreement, Railways had given the land on lease for 49 years. In return the owners were bound to pay around Rs 50 million annually. Sources in the Royal Palm management claimed they have paid a total around Rs 550 million to Railways while recently it refused to accept their two cheques worth Rs 20 million and Rs 15 million.

“There are only Rs 50-60 million pending while Rs 30 million amount will be added to it after the month of June. Everything is audited by a well-known international audit company,” a senior management officer, requesting anonymity, told Daily Times.

He said that MHPL/ Royal Palm management, after consulting their lawyer Barrister Atezaz Ahsan, who termed this action of the Railways police totally illegal and against the law of the land, has decided to file a contempt of court and damages case against Railways Minister Khawja Saad Rafique.