The controversial issue of the historic Ladies Club has taken a new turn when district government also set claim on the property on the basis of documentary evidence of revenue department.
The district Nazim immediately constituted a three member committee comprising EDO Revenue, EDO Law & DDO Revenue Hyderabad City directing them to file application before the High Court of Sindh to justify the claim.
It will be of interest to note the Evacuee Trust Property Board has claimed the property of only ladies club of social importance in the country. However, contrary to reasons, few year back the Evacuee Board reportedly leased out the property of the club to greedy builders who had been vying the building for years. However, then Governor Sindh, Minister for Culture and the divisional commissioner made it clear that the club was a national heritage. As the protest grew the Evacuee Board for the time laid low.
However, the board once again brought the matter on surface as it cancelled the tenancy of the club.
According to office bearers of club, the department refused to accept the rent levelling the ground for cancellation of lease.
Meanwhile, verification of revenue record revealed the area of Ladies Club bearing City Survey No 142/2 was owned by Municipality. The record showed it as "Municipal open space" and subsequently was reserved as government property. Revenue Department vide collector order No 8401 dated 20-8-1932, thereafter, collector granted this area to the (Nari Sabah) Ladies Club Hyderabad through its Secretary Miss Thakuri Valiram Lakhani on 99 years lease basis for the period from 1939 to 2038 vide GRR D NO S (224)-C(36) dated 14-1-1939. This record contradicts the claim of Evacuee Property Trust Board.
Further, Culture & Tourism department Karachi vide notification No OSD/CHC/OTS & YD/4-5/2000/1037 dated 7-7-2000 declared the said Ladies Club as cultural protected Heritage under Sindh Cultural Heritage (preservation) Act 1994. Therefore, any interference or destruction of the protected property was liable for legal proceeding u/s 18 of the said Act.
The matter is now pending with the High Court of Sindh.
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