LAHORE: State land is public property and must be managed in the interests of citizens rather than reserved for the exclusive benefit of privileged groups, speakers emphasised during a dialogue organised by Republic Policy Think Tank in Lahore.
The discussion, titled Gymkhana Clubs and Public Interest, brought together members of the Punjab Assembly, civil servants, academics and club members to examine the use of valuable public land by exclusive clubs and the broader implications for democratic governance.
Participants raised concerns about the allocation and use of state-owned land for elite recreational facilities, questioning whether such arrangements are consistent with constitutional equality and the principles of public accountability.
The discussion highlighted Article 25 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law, alongside the public trust doctrine, under which state authorities are expected to manage public resources for the benefit of the people.
Speakers stressed that public land should not be treated as the private property of particular institutions, departments or influential groups. They called for greater transparency in decisions concerning its allocation, management and use.
The dialogue formed part of Republic Policy Think Tank’s weekly initiative to bring legislators, public officials and citizens together for discussions on governance and institutional reform.
The central conclusion of the discussion was that state resources must serve the public interest and that their use should remain subject to transparency, equality and accountability.
Republic Policy reiterated its commitment to promoting evidence-based debate on public resources, democratic governance and institutional responsibility.
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