ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has directed Pakistan Railways and the former management of the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club to provide the club record to AF Ferguson and Co within a month for audit. A three-judge implementation bench headed by Justice Umar Atta Bandial heard case regarding implementation of its order about leasing out premises of Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, Lahore.

Justice Bandial ordered that the Golf Club's record from 2015 to 2019 is supplied to the AF Ferguson within one month. The representative of the chartered accountant firm stated that after receiving the record they would complete the audit in five to six months.

The court ordered the chairman Railways to prepare the advertisement for the bid of Royal Palm Golf and Country Club lease, and get the ads contents, and pre-qualification notice verified from the Board of Investment.

The court directed the Railways' management to run the Club in a manner, so maximum revenue could be generated. Justice Bandial citing the example of Gun and Country Club, Islamabad, said this year it had generated Rs300 million.

He said Gun and Country Club as compared to the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club was small. He expected that Golf Club would also generate maximum revenue by taking appropriate measures. The case was adjourned for four weeks.

The Supreme Court on June 28, 2019, had declared lease of Royal Palm Golf and Country Club to the MAX Corps consortium/MHPL non est, null and void ab initio and of no legal effect. The judgement said that the possession of the land given to the lessee under the agreement is to be handed over to Pakistan Railways forthwith along with all the assets and infrastructure.

AF Ferguson shall complete handing over of all records and transfer management of the Club within seven days. The Railways shall be responsible for running the Club, and shall nominate its officer(s) or a team of independent professionals, if it deems appropriate to take over and run the Club.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020