Club takeover: Saad Rafiq says railways has accepted court order

Minister says he hopes that justice will be done in cases involving Pakistan Railways

LAHORE: Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq on Tuesday said that the railways management had accepted the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) ruling in the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club case and would abide by it despite reservations.

“We respect the honourable courts and their decisions, even though we have some reservations on the ruling,” the railways minister said in a press conference at the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club.

Without elaborating the reservations, Rafiq said that he hoped justice would be served. He said railways looked up to the LHC and Supreme Court of Pakistan on the particular issue.



“A three-member committee has been formed to look into the financial matters of the club. For the past few years, the club management has not paid railways a single penny. Now they too will not get a single penny,” Rafiq said. He said a committee nominated by the court would manage the finances.

In a press release, the club management said that as per court orders, a separate account had been created to meet club expenses until a final order on its petition before the LHC.

“The management has taken over the commercial management of the club as per court orders. However, some railways officers are not leaving the premises, thus causing hurdles in facilitating our members,” stated the press release.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2016.