LAHORE: A large number of employees and their families staged a demonstration at Liberty Roundabout on Tuesday night to protest against the ‘illegal’ takeover of the management and possession of the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club by Pakistan Railways.

Carrying flags of the club and placards bearing slogans like ‘Down with hooliganism,’ ‘Say no to illegality,’ ‘End thug culture,’ the protesters chanted slogans against the railways minister for “planning and executing the unlawful act ahead of Eid,” while pledging to continue their protest till getting back control of the club.

Addressing the protesters, Chief Executive Ramzan Sheikh of the Husnain Construction Company (Pvt) Ltd said it seemed Khwaja Saad Rafique had some personal grudge against him (Mr Sheikh). “But, ruining businesses is not a wise move to settle personal vendetta,” he said.

Without serving a notice and even informing its management along with local police, railways forcibly entered the premises with its 450 or so police personnel in the wee hours on June 25, evicted the management and staff from the premises and closed its doors to members.

“For the last eight years or so, we have been investigated by various government agencies. Recently, the National Accountability Bureau in a report gave us a clean chit. How can a contract between two parties be terminated unilaterally?

“We invested more than Rs2 billion in the club. Unilateral cancellation of the contract has hurt the confidence of businessmen in the country. Previously, Mr Rafique unilaterally cancelled contract with the company running Business Express. Who will invest here now after such a gross violation of the sanctity of business contracts? Mr Rafique seems to be vindictive and has perhaps decided to hand over management of the club to some favourite. But we will fight for our right in courts, on the roads and at all forums,” said Mr Sheikh.

The protesters remained at the roundabout for two hours before dispersing peacefully.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2016