Capital to get 'world class' overseas club

It will offer overseas Pakistanis a dedicated space to connect with their homeland

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to build a world-class overseas club, equipped with all modern amenities, in the federal capital.

The club, estimated to cost Rs27 billion, will offer exclusive membership to overseas Pakistanis, providing them with state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated space to connect with their homeland. In the first phase of the project, as many as 10,000 overseas Pakistanis will be offered membership.

The CDA chairman and other senior officials briefed the Prime Minister on the proposed project before he departed for Britain.

PM Shehbaz directed the CDA to prepare a comprehensive Project Concept (PC-1) for the project, ensuring it meets international standards and generates sustainable revenue. The project is expected to enhance the aesthetics of the federal capital.

The directives for the construction of the state-of-the-art facility were issued by the Prime Minister before his departure to Britain after he was briefed by the CDA chairman and other senior officials.

The overseas club will surpass the amenities of existing clubs in Islamabad and offer a range of facilities, including food, health and recreation. The club will be designed to attract 10,000 members in its initial phase, with a membership fee of $20,000.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the CDA chairman to construct the club to surpass the standards of the Gymkhana Club and Islamabad Club.

The Prime Minister had urged that the overseas club be of the highest quality, comparable to any international facility.

He also instructed the CDA to prepare a comprehensive PC-1 for the project, which will be reviewed again upon his return from the United States to grant final approval and expedite the project's commencement.

The Express Tribune has learnt from the sources within the CDA that a site for the overseas club will be selected soon and another briefing will be given to the Prime Minister upon his return.