PA shocked by Rs417 monthly lease for Gymkhanas

LAHORE: Lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly were stunned on Wednesday to learn that state-owned land was being rented out for just Rs 417 per month for gymkhana clubs in the province.

According to a ruling party MPA, Mian Amjed Ali Javaid, who was speaking on a point of order, the state-owned land was provided to gymkhana clubs in Punjab on a monthly lease of Rs 470.

“The land is rented for Rs 470 per month,” the MPA Punjab Assembly speaker asked. Sami Ullah Khan, another ruling party MP, told the President that it was not Rs 470 but Rs 417 per month. This revelation surprised lawmakers across the divide, and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik M Ahmad Khan himself admitted that he was unable to say anything in this regard.

Saeed Akbar Niwani, one of the senior-most members of the House, said on the occasion that it was very unfortunate that a poor man was being charged thousands of rupees when such a meager amount was being charged for gymkhanas.

“We will not be able to do anything, I tell the House, neither increase the amount nor reduce it,” declared Saeed Niwani. Minister Mian Shujaur Rehman, on the occasion himself, confessed that this was really surprising for him and said that he would ask questions to the department concerned regarding this.

He said he did not know which ministry this land belonged to. Opposition MP Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan said on the occasion that it was state-owned land and the department should be asked to explain its stand in this regard.

Meeting reviews preparation of new LG bill

The meeting of the special committee formed by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was held at the Civil Secretariat on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique.

Members of the MPA committee and relevant officials were present at the meeting. The committee deliberated on issues of preparation of the new local government bill. During the meeting, proposals for improving the status of local bodies of Sialkot, Okara and Rahimyar Khan, creating a metropolitan corporation for over five lakh residents and all divisional headquarters were considered.

In addition, consultations were held on determining the population of the Union Council and the creation of municipal committees. Addressing the meeting, Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique, who is also the chairman of the committee, said we would move forward while learning from past experiences. He said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz wanted an effective local government system in Punjab. “In this context, such a system will be designed, which can give good results,” he promised.

He said the committee would send its recommendations to the provincial cabinet for further deliberations. He said all aspects were considered before the new legislation, especially suggestions from elected representatives.