Allotment of land at throwaway price: Supreme Court seeks report about Gun Club's status

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday sought report about the present status of Gun Club from Capital Development Authority (CDA), which is situated in the heart of the capital. The apex court directed Mobilink to provide details of its branding rights with the club.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry issued the instructions while hearing a suo motu case relating to the allotment of 72 acres land worth billions of rupees to the Gun Club Islamabad on very nominal ate of Rs 10 million per acre.
The bench also asked the administration of the club to submit detailed report relating to the affairs and activities of the club on next hearing. Ramzan Chaudhry, counsel for Capital Development Authority (CDA), told the bench that Faisal Sakhi Butt was administrator of the club.
During the course of hearing, the CJP observed how it was possible that a private person had been given responsibilities as administrator of the club, adding that income of the club should be deposited to national exchequer instead of private account. The CJP also observed that the word "Gun" was excluded in the amended contract and how a shooting club could be converted into country club.
The court also questioned as to why the Capital Development Authority (CDA) allotted 28 acres land to the Gun Club. Ramzan Chaudhry replied that Capital Development Authority (CDA) had allotted the land for safety zone. Barrister Masroor Shah, legal advisor of the club, informed the bench that President of Pakistan had appointed the private administrator. The court adjourned the hearing for three weeks.