KARACHI, Nov 5: In its first move, the newly installed Racing Committee of the Karachi Race Club (KRC) has sacked 59 employees with one stroke of a pen without giving them notice, sources privy to the meeting told Dawn on Tuesday.

The decision aimed at curtailing the expenses was taken when the committee held its first meeting at the KRC on Sunday with Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashdi in the chair.

The KRC had a strength of 151 regular employees apart from those serving on daily basis. Of the 59 who have been shown the door, 25 were on the regular payroll, 22 daily wages workers and 12 from the tote.

The sources said the meeting discussed ways and means to make the club financially strong. The committee also expressed concern over the decline of turf accountants and decided to raise their number.

Presently, around 16-17 turf accountants are doing their business as compared to 20-25 in the recent past.

Referring to improve the existing racing standard, the committee vowed to ensure that horses are tried and races be held in a fair manner.

The penalties will not be waved and implemented in letter and spirit.