Senate body orders to hold audit of two elite clubs in capital

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has directed the concerned authorities to hold forensic audit of the accounts of two elite clubs functioning in the federal capital.

The Senate Standing Committee which met with Senator Talha Mahmood while discussing administrative and financial matters of Islamabad Club and Gun and Country Club, ordered administrators and others at helm of affairs of two clubs to attend next meeting of the committee.

The members of the standing committee observed that Rs0.3 million and Rs1.5 million are charged as membership fee from government officers and private members respectively but still the audit report  showed that Islamabad Club was facing financial loss of Rs510 million.

The committee members observed that ordinance relating to establishment of Islamabad Club has not been taken to the Parliament for approval whereas similar audit reports are being released at end of every year.

They said a monarchy like system has been working the in Islamabad Club and membership is given on basis of liking or disliking. The standing committee also directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to provide details of lease agreement of land with Islamabad Club.

The committee members pointed out that state of affairs of Gun and Country Club located on Garden Avenue were also not different and employees have not received salaries for the last eight months.

Acting Secretary of Islamabad Club informed the meeting that that 10-member management committee of the club is headed by senior most officer of Grade-22 while appointment of its members is approved by President of Pakistan who is also club’s patron in chief.