LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways plans to retain all trained workers employed at the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, says Chief Executive Officer Javed Anwar.

Definitely, we would require the services of trained staff to maintain and operate golf course, restaurants, cinemas, marquees and other healthy activities at the club,” Mr Anwar told Dawn on Saturday, a day after the PR took over the management and possession of the club.

Employees sitting outside the club welcomed the statement of Mr Anwar but asked who would pay their wages ahead of Eidul Fitr.

Mr Anwar said that it had been decided that the club would be run by the PR subsidiary -- Railway Estate Development and Marketing Company and its managing director has been assigned the task to start restoring all facilities there soon after Eid.

However, a source in the ministry of railways said that the authorities were contemplating to constitute a committee to supervise the affairs of the club.

Comprising railways’ officers and some other people of integrity, the name of committee members would be notified shortly, said the source.

Meanwhile, the Mainland Husnain Pakistan Ltd (MHPL), the management of club, reiterated its resolve on Saturday to “fight for our right.”

“The action by railway authorities is in violation of law and a valid court order. Whatever amount the club owed to PR the MHPL tried to pay it to the PR in September last year but they refused to accept. The next amount is due in September this year,” said a spokesperson while terming the unilateral termination of the lease contract ‘unlawful.’

“Denying access to club members and staff on the premises too is illegal and would be contested at all forums, said the spokesperson.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2016