PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday restrained authorities from demolishing the historic Kohat Civil Club.A two-member bench comprising Justice Naeem Anwar and Justice Wiqar Ahmad issued notices to the tehsil municipal officer, the deputy Commissioner, and other respondents, directing them to submit their replies.
The petition, filed by Inamullah and others, was argued by advocates Amin Lachi and Aminur Rehman.The counsel informed the court that the club was originally established in 1937 under the name “Gymkhana Club Kohat” and was later renamed Kohat Civil Club in the 1980s.
The petitioners contended that the club serves as an important social and recreational hub for the local community, with its membership comprising lawyers, doctors, civil servants, and scholars.
The facility hosts various sports and social activities and holds significant cultural value for the residents of Kohat.The counsel argued that despite being under a 100-year lease and owned by the Tehsil Municipal Committee, the club carries the status of a heritage site and forms an integral part of the district’s history.
The petitioners maintained that its demolition for commercial purposes would not only erase a nearly century-old landmark but also deprive the community of a vital public space. Expressing concern over the proposed plan to construct a commercial plaza at the site, the petitioners urged the court to intervene and preserve what they described as a “national heritage.”
After hearing initial arguments, the bench granted interim relief by halting any demolition work and sought detailed responses from the concerned authorities before proceeding further with the case.
