Punjab Assembly Committee Critiques Lahore Gymkhana’s Low Rent Deal

LAHORE: A special committee of the Punjab Assembly, led by MPA Samiullah Khan, has sharply criticized decades of government oversight failures regarding the Lahore Gymkhana Club’s lease of over 100 acres of prime state land for an annual rent of just Rs5,000.

During a recent session, Club Chairman Salman Siddique acknowledged the inadequacy of this nominal rate, expressing surprise at the low amount given the club’s significant financial improvements since the 1990s. He stated that the club should be paying at least Rs10 million annually and expressed his willingness to cooperate with the ongoing inquiry by providing necessary records.

The committee members highlighted that Siddique’s admission underscores the urgent need to investigate why successive state authorities allowed such a substantial concession to continue without proper scrutiny. They emphasized that the responsibility lies with public institutions tasked with protecting state land and enforcing lease agreements.

Moving forward, the committee plans to conduct further investigations into the matter, aiming to hold accountable those responsible for the oversight and to ensure that state resources are utilized transparently and effectively.