BAHAWALPUR, Feb 13: The 92-year-old Bahawal Club House will soon be restored to its original shape.

Located on the Club Road adjacent to the district nazim’s office, the building, known as Bahawal Club is meant for the elite class and the well-to-do of the city. The plaque, affixed in its veranda, shows that the late Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V laid the foundation of the building on Jan 18, 1915.

At one time, the club also served as the defunct commissioner’s office while the club was housed in the stadium building. But, after the transfer of the commissioner’s office, the building was reserved for the club.

Former deputy commissioner Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar, who was club’s president in 1995, renovated the building at a cost of Rs1.2 million. The project was completed on Oct 3, 1995, as inscribed on the plaque.

The main building, a masterpiece of architecture, is surrounded by lush green lawns. Past managements of the club could not preserve its grandeur, may be due to paucity of funds or lack of interest of the members.

In order to generate funds, a piece of its land was leased out by the then president, deputy commissioner Javed Iqbal Awan, to the PTDC for the construction of a motel. This motel is now catering to the needs of the visiting dignitaries here.

Former district nazim Tariq Cheema, who was the president of the club, took Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi to the club during his visit here and showed him the ramshackle old building and requested for funds for its repair. He announced a grant of Rs20 million for its renovation which will now be carried out by the district government.

DCO Muhammad Ashraf, who is now heading the Bahawal Club body, said on Tuesday that as the club building was a heritage, it would be restored to its original shape. For this purpose, the services of those archaeologists and experts had been acquired who had restored the Darbar Mahal about three years ago.

According to him, after its restoration within four months, the club would be converted into a real family club, where social activities could be promoted. A mess would also be developed within the club. New rooms would be constructed to provide accommodation facility to the guests of members.

He said the club was sealed following complaints of entry of non-members. It would be reopened after the completion of the restoration work.

DPO: District Police Officer Arif Nawaz has ordered strict action against a sub-inspector on the public complaints.

The order was issued at an open kutchery held by the DPO at Samasatta where many people complained about alleged excesses by the SI.

The DPO asked the police to also arrest within three days the rapists of a woman.