LAHORE: A spokesman for the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club has responded to a news item that appeared in a section of press pertaining to the ‘transparency’ of the Royal Palm project disseminated after meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Railways.

In a press release, the spokesman said that in 2010 the Standing Committee on Railways had declared the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club project completely transparent as it observed that the land was leased out for 49 years through international competitive bidding process held in a transparent manner.

“The Company has invested over Rs1.5 billion on the project and is now employing over 550 people. The committee was informed that in Phase-II the company was to construct a five-star hotel for which it may be allowed to start work with peace of mind and without any further interference.

“The committee then took a round of the golf course and appreciated the quality of the work done and also its role for improving the environmental situation in the area.”

In its report, the committee recommended: “The administration of the Royal Palm Club should move forward according to the terms and conditions of the agreement for the construction of a five-star hotel...”

The spokesman further said the club had developed the largest leisure, hospitality and entertainment facility in the private sector in Pakistan; it contributes Rs100 million annually to the national exchequer including education cess and other provincial taxes etc. The company has so far paid Rs550 million to the Pakistan Railways.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2015