People look at a bomb blast site in a gambling building in Karachi.—AFP

KARACHI: The rummy club bombed on Thursday night in the old city area of Ghas Mandi is probably the oldest such club functioning in the metropolis where only members can play under a licence that dates back to 1948.

The club comprises three multistory buildings, with each floor dedicated to a different game.

On weekdays there are around 500 to 600 visitors and their number exceeds 1,500 on weekends.

While the licence allows only members to play rummy there, over the years gambling started at the club and now it is said that 99 per cent of the visitors are non-members.

The club has a weekly turnover of millions of rupees, according to a law-enforcement official, who described the owner as ‘a shadowy character’.

The floors are specified for players who can play for Rs500, Rs1,000 and Rs100,000, respectively. “The beneficiaries of the club come from every stratum of society; from the common man to tycoons, the club is frequented by all,” the official said.

The place has been raided several times in the past, but on all occasions police had to retreat and the club’s status was restored.

The last raid was carried out about six months back by the crime investigation department of police. Subsequently, the raiding police officers were called in court where they were told that they could not conduct a raid on a private premises or enclosed place.

The Gambling Act also says that police can carry out a raid if gambling is taking place at a public place, but police cannot enter a private club.

Lately, the management of the club had closed the access by erecting barricades. A former police officer posted there also started frisking people visiting the club.

But the owners filed a petition in the Sindh High Court, and the police were told to stop checking, which was described by the owners ‘as harassment’.

Once the licence of the club was cancelled, but ultimately it was restored due to some legal lacuna.

At present, the club is registered with the relevant authorities.