LHC takes up Flashman’s land case against Cantt Board today

ISLAMABAD:The Administration of one of the oldest and famous hotels of the twin-cities, Flashman's, has moved the court against Rawalpindi Cantonment Board as the later wants state of the art parking facility on land worth over Rs10 billion owned by Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). The PTDC runs Flashman's Hotel.

Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi-Bench, takes up the case today (Tuesday) for arguments.  Details reveal that Flashman's Hotel is situated at the prime location on the Mall Road, Saddar, Rawalpindi Cantt, and its area is 9.34 acres. The PTDC owns 86.82 % of its shares while 13.18 % shareholders are private citizens. A piece of land measuring 18 kanal-6 marla belonging to the hotel is lying vacant because after the demolition of flight kitchen and staff quarters from the area, the PTDC runs short of money to erect marquees on the site. The manager of the hotel was called by the Station Headquarters officials and was asked to sign a deal regarding parking facility construction at the aforementioned plot belonging to the PTDC, the manager told The News. 

On July 16, 2016,  Flashman's Manager  Ashfaq Ahmad wrote a letter to Col Tariq Mehmood of the Station Headquarters, Rawalpindi, and stated: “Thanking you very much for the courtesy extended to undersigned when I called on you as desired by your good office regarding apprising you about the legal status of our plot No 56, located on Haider Road-Bank Road, Rawalpindi Saddar. As I briefed you during the course of meeting that the status of plot is sub judice in court of law and moreover now-a-days there is a managing director in PTDC; therefore, undersigned is absolutely in no position even to consider any initiative about the future plan of this plot.

"However, I informed my administrative ministry, which is the Cabinet Division, about the plan/intentions of the Station Headquarters so that they can take up the case with the Ministry of Defense for some amicable solution. Today, I was informed by our security staff that some civilian contractor is (sic) carrying out some construction work at our plot. I immediately sent my security manager to visit the site and report back on the situation. He informed me that he tried to convince the contractor to stop the work immediately, but he refused and kept on insisting that he will only obey the orders of the Station Headquarters, Rawalpindi. Keeping in view the fragility/sensitivity of the situation you are requested to kindly instruct the relevant quarters to immediately stop the construction work; otherwise, we would have no other option but to seek legal remedies.” 

The Station Headquarters, Rawalpindi, vide its letter dated 27th June 2016, asked a contractor: “It is intimated that the Headquarters 10 Corps (through Brig Admin) has instructed that the  commander desires to replicate the model of car parking already being managed at 31 The Mall for the vacant land at survey No 369/17, measuring 2151sq yards, situated at Haider Road - Bank Road Junction, Rawalpindi Cantt. 

"Above in view, you are requested to ensure following:- Secure the area by erecting barbed wire around the land. Install proper gates for entry/exit with proper checking arrangements. Level the ground for parking wherever required. Install security lights all around. Forward comprehensive proposal for establishing state of the art car parking at the earliest.” 

The manager of the hotel says that the hotel management has moved the court because it has got evaluated the said land, and it is worth over Rs10 billion. He said that another court had issued a stay order against interference in the possession of the land. He added that the hotel management is in the courts since 1996 against the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board.