KARACHI, March 29: A suit instituted in the Sindh High Court by the Young Men's Christian Association was on Monday adjourned to an unspecified date to enable the defendants to file counter- affidavits.

The plaintiff claimed through Saleem Khursheed Khokhar, its secretary, that another YMCA, registered with the provincial social welfare department, had taken over the control and management of the association's property, including its spacious premises on Aiwan-i-Saddar Road.

The plaintiff association was registered with the registrar of the joint stock companies in 1913. The rival association was registered with the social welfare department in 1964. The plaintiff sought a permanent injunction against the rival YMCA.

As the suit came up before Justice Mushir Alam, Dr Sarfraz Lloyd, claiming to be the YMCA president, sought to be impleaded as an intervener through Advocate Ziaul Haq Makhdoom.

He said the YMCA was initially registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, in 1913. In 1962, its general secretary applied for registration under the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance, 1961. A constitution was also adopted for the association the same year.

Dr Lloyd said he was elected president of the association, which was registered with the social welfare department, from 1994 to 2001. In 2003, the association decided to get registered as a (non-profit) company limited by guarantee with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It was thus registered as a limited company under the Companies Ordinance.

He was re-elected its president and continues to hold the office. He said he was a necessary party and would be seriously prejudiced if not impleaded in the case.

The plaintiff waived notice of the application and sought time to file a counter-affidavit. Time was also requested by the defendants for filing their counter-affidavits.