Tough contest likely for Gymkhana election on February 1

LAHORE: Lahore Gymkhana elections for the chairman and committee of members will be held on February 1 and a tough contest is expected between archrivals-Kamran Lashari and Mian Misbah ur Rehman groups.

Kamran Lashari is a retired bureaucrat of BS-22 and has served at key positions in Punjab and the federal government as well, while Mian Misbah is a known businessman, a prominent figure of the provincial metropolitan, ex-chairman of Lahore Gymkhana and former President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI).

Kamran Lashari has been the serving chairman of Lahore Gymkhana since 2017 and is also contesting the Lahore Gymkhana elections 2020, whereas Mian Misbah group has fielded Dr. Jawad Sajid Khan for the prestigious slot of chairman.

Both groups are influential and enjoy good support of the club members. However, members acknowledge Kamran Lashri’s services for the club from 2017 till 2019. The club witnessed massive improvements during this period. Moreover the club got a new verve during Kamran Lashari’s tenure and many literary activities were also organised for the members which were missing previously. The members also respect Mian Misbah as being Chairman Lahore Gymkhana he boosted the club’s image and took measures for the betterment of the club and members. Recently Mian Misbah’s group organised a get together and a lot of supporters showed up.

Some members seeking anonymity said that Mian Misbah ur Rehman’s group was a mix of two groups and the leadership was not clear in the group whereas during the launching ceremony of Kamran Lashari’s panel the vision and leadership was clearly defined and reflected. The club members were of the view that elections for 2020 would be interesting and tough because both panels have influential leaders and panel members.

An allegation on Lahore Gymkhana Club Chairman Kamran Lashari appeared in the media on Monday that he had given permanent membership of the Lahore Gymkhana Club to Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. However, Kamran Lashari said that it was misquoted news and a rumour while no permanent membership was given to the CM whereas according to the rules of Lahore Gymkhana the chairman has the provision of giving 15 out of turn memberships.

He clarified that the news was misquoted and said that the Article 12 (A) of Gymkhana authorised the Committee of Management (COM) to grant 15 out of turn memberships in a calendar year for persons who are important to the club. According to the clause 12(A) of the Lahore Gymkhana, “Such persons, who are residents of Lahore or Lahore Cantt, may be admitted as the Invitation Members of Lahore Gymkhana by the Committee under these articles and on payment of prescribed membership fee as decided by the committee from time to time.

Provided that total number of such inductees shall not be more than 100 (one hundred).

These instructions should be strictly on the basis of the seniority of their application. However the committee has the discretion to invite 15 (fifteen) such invitations out of turn in each calendar year for the persons who are important to the club.” He was of the view that this allegation was part of the election campaign.