The apex court on Monday ruled that 'Gun and Country Club' in the federal capital is illegal. A two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan was hearing a suo motu case about the club and the construction of marquee and swimming pools in its premises.
The Gun and Country Club was established in 2002 at the foot of Shakarparian Hills. It provides state-of-the-art rifle shooting facilities consisting of indoor and outdoor ranges. It is located within the area allocated to Pakistan Sports Complex, just minutes away from Zero Point.
Pakistan Sports Board was directed to "take over land" on which the Gun and Country Club is established as well as the marriage hall constructed on the premises. The court also cancelled the notification for establishment of club issued during the General Pervez Musharraf (retd) regime. Survey of Pakistan was ordered to demarcate 145 acres of land on which the club is established within two weeks and also ordered the sports board to employ the gun club's employees.
The Chief Justice observed that the club has been established on the land of Pakistan Sports Board; thus, the club has no legal standing as there is no legal approval by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for the construction of this club.
The Chief Justice also referred the matter regarding returning membership fee to the relevant ministry. "We will establish a polyclinic (hospital) on this land," Justice Nisar remarked.
The bench noted that in 1975, 145 acres of land were leased out and in 2008 the lease was extended for 33 years. It further said the CDA was not asked before leasing land to the gun club.
Earlier as the hearing went under way, Additional Attorney General Nayyar Rizvi asked the top court for two days to provide details regarding the land lease. However rejecting his request, Justice Nisar said, "If I give you time, the case will keep dragging on."
Furthermore, Justice Ijazul Ahsan asked, "What is this gun club? A shooting club was established for safe games," the additional attorney general responded.
To this, Justice Nisar questioned, "The land was allotted to the sports board and how was a gun club established on it?"
The lawyer for Gun and Country Club informed the court that the CDA gave the land on lease to the Sports Board which was sublet to the club administration. The Gun Club has no relation with the land, Justice Ijaz remarked.
The Chief Justice asked, "Does the land belong to the CDA or sports board?" "The club administration constructed a pool on the premises and will also make rooms in the future," the Chief Justice added.
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