ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has confirmed that a portion of the right of way of Murree Road is in the possession of the Islamabad Club for “parking purposes since the 1990s”.

This was informed by the CDA to the Senate through the Ministry of Interior a few days ago, according to documents.

The CDA stated that its building control section through a letter dated Feb 24, 2023, directed the Islamabad Club’s management “for the removal of violations/encroachment of right of way of Murree Road and removal of [its] fence”.

In response to the letter, the club said that there were multiple issues related to the shifting of the fence, such as important guests and dignitaries “are normally stationed at the club and relocating of fence/boundary would pose a potential threat”. The CDA said that the club also assured that no permanent structure thereon would be created and the fence would be removed and shifted whenever required by the CDA. The document also stated that the management had assured the CDA that they were willing to pay rent for the area mentioned above.

The CDA had leased out 352.8 acre for the establishment of Islamabad Club. On Jan 2, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed asked the CDA several questions about the posh club during the question-hour session in the upper house, asking whether it was true that the said club had illegally occupied 32.5 kanal adjacent to the club.

The CDA officials told Dawn that the right of way of Murree Road was occupied by the Islamabad Club and added that the civic body had issued notices to the management of the club last year, but to no avail.

It is relevant to note that reportedly in 2020, the land of the club was leased out for 53 years and it pays only Rs3 for an acre per month to the CDA.

According to details available on its website, the club was established in 1967 to provide recreational and sports facilities for government servants, diplomats and other inhabitants of Islamabad.

“Initially [it was] registered as a limited company, titled ‘The Islamabad Club’ under the Companies Act of 1913. In 1978, through the presidential ordinance […] July 17, 1978, the club ownership was resumed by the government of Pakistan and the company was dissolved. Since then, it has been operating under the […] Club Ordinance,” read the website.

It further said that the club is a statutory body and the president of Pakistan is its patron. Moreover, the facility is under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division.

“Islamabad Club is an unincorporated club comprising of its members and is functioning under the ambit of Islamabad Club (Administration) Ordinance 1978 (Club Ordinance). [The] club is not a recipient of any government grants/PSDP funding etc.,” it said and added that the administration and assets of the club “are vested in the administrator, who is appointed by the federal government and is aided and advised by a managing committee, which is also appointed by the federal government”.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2024