ISLAMABAD: Weeks after an incident of sexual harassment was reported at Islamabad Club, a lawmaker sought information about the safety measures for the members visiting the elite club from the cabinet division.

PTI leader Asad Qaiser asked whether Islamabad Club ensured the safety of its members and guests on the premises and whether the property was properly managed. The lawmakers also asked about the total area, membership criteria and fees.

In a written response, the minister in charge of the cabinet division informed the National Assembly that the safety and security of its members and their guests was one of the top priorities of the club which has well-trained security staff to maintain a secure environment on the premises and the security team was equipped with all the necessary skills and equipment to ensure the safety of all its members and guests. Furthermore, a dedicated safety and security officer was also part of the team and was responsible for safety training and maintaining safety-related equipment.

About the membership criteria, the response said Islamabad Club offered membership to various classes, including honourary membership for the president and prime minister. Besides that, it also offers parliamentarian membership for sitting members of the Senate and National Assembly and service membership for high-ranking government and defence officers.

Lawmaker seeks details about safety on club premises, membership criteria

Additionally, there are categories for diplomats, non-diplomats, corporate entities and private individuals, each with specific conditions such as employment status, residency and social standing.

Memberships are granted through a selective process requiring the endorsement of the club’s senior members with 10 years of membership standing as a proposer and seconder of the applicant under the rules and regulations of the club.

Applicable membership fees for different categories are: legislators (permanent membership) Rs500,000, legislators (tenure membership) Rs200,000 (valid tenures only), service (permanent membership) Rs500,000, non-service (permanent membership) Rs3,500,000, associate (diplomat) for six months $750, for one year $1,500, for two years $3,000, associate (non-diplomat) $5,000 and corporate Rs40 million.

The reply states Islamabad Club was allotted an area of 352 acres. The main club is 11.46 acres, the golf course 233.4 acres, the polo ground, cricket ground, and futsal are 102.5 acres, and the riding club and other parts are 5.5 acres.

Islamabad Club is functioning under the ambit of Islamabad Club (Administration) Ordinance 1978. The members are entitled to use the facilities and are also entitled to invite guests to the club and that the property is being utilised judiciously in the best interest of the club and its members.

The reason behind asking such a question in the assembly was not known, but it followed a sexual harassment incident in the family hall of the club that occurred on August 3.

Over the incident, a case was also registered at Secretariat police station under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).

According to police sources, the complainant stated that on August 3 at about 9:30pm, her daughter was sexually harassed and assaulted by a man through multiple verbal and physical advances and gestures in the family hall of the club, while she along with her family – including husband and son – was having dinner.

The matter was reported to the staff of the club present in the family hall. The harasser was identified by the club staff as a guest of a club member, they said, adding that the club staff questioned the club member about the incident, who said that the alleged person was his guest, working in a cellular company, and had left the club.

“The incident has caused extreme mental trauma to her 18-year-old daughter and embarrassment, stress and insult to me and my family,” the FIR quoted by the officials stated.

The complainant requested immediate legal action be taken against the culprit and said that his name should also be put on the anti-harassment watch list so that he doesn’t assault or harass any child or woman in future.

Sources in the police said the victim was the daughter of a bureaucrat of grade-20 and the granddaughter of a retired grade-18 uniform officer. The accused nominated in the FIR, was a relative of one of the most senior bureaucrats deployed with the country’s top brass and a politician, who enjoys a key position in parliament, they added.

The sources said, the accused nominated in the FIR, got information about registration of the case against him somehow and he immediately obtained bail before the police could act against him. Later, the complainant and accused parties reached an “out of court settlement” and in this regard submitted their statement to the police, they added.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2024