THE PUNJAB CLUB
The Punjab Club was established in 1884 and was exclusively used by British and Europeans. The club was transferred to Pakistan in 1962. It is private social club that has elected members consisting of high ranking civil and armed forces personnel, leading industrialists, entrepreneurs and executives.
HISTORY
So far it has not been possible to ascertain with certainty the exact date when The Punjab Club was established. There are two reasons for it. One, when the premises of Punjab Club were forcibly taken over by the Government in 1960 under a martial law order sufficient time was not given to the club to catalogue its old record resulting in the loss of valuable record. The second reason is the fact that some old record got burnt. There is, however, an intriguing document in the club. This original document in a teak frame was presented by someone whose name is not legible on the copper plate to Punjab Club on 19th May 1909. The document reads as follows:
Anarkullie Billiards Club 1863
Proprietors Hony: Members
A. Roberts Esq, C.B. D.F. McleodEsq, C.B.
C. M. Smith Esq, George Stone Esq,
MajorC. Sim Turton Smith Esq,
T. H. Thornton Esq, R. H. KinchantEsq,
Capn: Boddam (Written Major with pen)* P. Talbot Esq,
J. Harrison Esq, W BruntonEsq,
Hector CunnEsq, Dr. Niel
R. H. Davies Esq, Lieut: King Harman
R. Taylor Esq,
Lieut: C. Newmarch
Major J. Mcleod Innes
The Revd: C. Hadow (Written Bishop with pen)*
Signed
Hony: Secretary
*Probably because these two gentlemen were later promoted.
The room will be lighted on Thursday evenings at the expense of the club. Any member
can order the room to be lighted on other evenings. One Rupee being charged for cost of
lighting .
Strangers are not admitted unless accompanied by Proprietors or Members .
Lahore 1st January 1863
Why was this document presented to Punjab Club and why was it framed and hung up inthe club? Was Arakullie Billiards Club fore-runner of Punjab Club? In all probability it
was. An attempt is being made to solve this riddle.Be that as it may it is established that Punjab Club was in business in 1879 and John Lockwood Kipling, father of Rudyard Kipling, who was the founder Principal of Mayo College of Arts -now the National College of Arts- as well as the first curator of The Lahore Museum was an active member of the club. He used to organize fancy dress balls with local costumes at the club which were called the "PogleyNauch" or the mad ball. At that time The Punjab Club was housed in a building on The Mall at the site whereAlhamra Arts Council building now stands. It is equally well established that Rudyard Kipling son of John Lockwood Kipling, the famous writer, was a resident member of the Punjab Club during his stay in India. In 1887 reciprocal arrangements were established with The Sind Club, Karachi at their request. However, there is period before 1879 when the Punjab Club was in existence but for which we have still not found any record.
In January 1904 Punjab Club was converted into an association limited by guarantee and on 10th April 1905 the Club purchased 16.64 acres of land on The Mall for a sum of
Rupees. 1 0,000/- from the Secretary of State for India in Council and in the same year obtained a loan of Rupees 260,000 from the Alliance Bank of Simla for construction of
buildings. With this money a majestic building with an imposing facade was constructed on The Mall which remained in use of the Club until 1960 when it was taken over by the
Government of West Pakistan through a martial law ordinance even though it was a freehold property of the club. It is now used as the Administrative Staff College by the
Government of Pakistan.
According to the Articles of Association of the Club dated 1929 Punjab Club had reciprocal arrangements with only two clubs namely The Sind Club, Karachi and Bombay Club, Bombay. Later, sometime after 1929 and before 1943, reciprocalarrangements were established with The Hill Club Ceylon and The Bengal UnitedServices Club Calcutta. Any number of Europeans could become members. Locals were
not admitted. Entrance fee was Rs.150/ - payable in installments over a period of 18months after election. Regular members paid Rs.12/- as monthly subscription and temporary and visiting members paid Rs.15/- .The best room could be hired at Rs.120/- per month during peak season i.e. from October to April and Rs.90/- per month during off peak season inclusive of one stable and one servant quarter. Messing charges were Rs.6/- per day. If a member did not wish or was unable to hire a room he could obtain afurnished tent for Rs.60/- per month. The club remained open till 1.00 am.
In August 1960 the Government of West Pakistan took over the Mall Road premises of Punjab Club under Martial Law order # 69. Against this forcible take over a paltry sum of Rs.242,000/- was paid to Punjab Club in August 1961 as compensation for land, building and furniture including a number of billiard tables.
On 12th May 1962 the present premises at 3,Danepur Road were leased out to the Punjab Club by the Government of West Pakistan. The swimming pool, Crystal Hall and the some residential rooms were added to the building in mid sixties. Proprietary rights of the present building on about 2.3acres(18.5 kanals) of land were formally transferred to
Punjab Club on 12th December 1985 against payment of Rs. 242,0001-, the same amount which was given to the club for 16.64 acres of land as well as buildings and furniture on
The Mall. In 2009 a new restaurant and ten modem residential rooms were added to the existing club facilities.
It is evident from the above that The Punjab Club is one of the oldest and arguably the most prestigious club of Indo-Pak subcontinent. As inheritors of this great club its
members continue to uphold their proud traditions to maintain its high standards and reputation.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The Club House opens at 9:00am in the morning and closes at 12midnight. The Club House remains in operation 7 days a week and House never closes on any kind of event.
Breakfast
Pakistani, Continental and American Breakfast are served in the rooms, Fine Dining Hall, Crystal Hall and in the Rendezvous from 7 to 10 complimentary for those who are staying in the rooms, however after 10 breakfast served shall be charged.
Lunch
Regular lunches are served 6 days a week from 12:30pm to 03:00pm in all the restaurant of the Club however on Saturday Buffet Lunch is served in Main Club House whereas Brunch on each Sunday is served in Rendezvous. Members staying in the room can also use this facility.
Dinner
A La Carte dinner is served 7 days a week in all the restaurant of the Club from 08:00pm to 11:00pm.
A La Carte Service
A La Carte menu service, snacks may however be served during Club hours in all the public rooms of the Club.
LOCATION
The club is located in the center of Lahore city in a lush green and posh area. All major services like the airport, railway station, motorway going north to the capital Islamabad and beyond and major shopping areas are within 15 to 20 minutes drive from the club. Two major hotels, the oldest and the largest park and the art council are within walkingdistance. One big park and the polo club are bang opposite the club. The city of Lahore is studded with great historical buildings which can visited by arrangement with one of thecar rentalcompanies.
RECIPROCAL CLUBS
The Punjab Club has established reciprocal privileges with other renowned private clubs in Pakistan and around the world. Members of the reciprocal club wishing to use the Punjab Club must be in possession of a letter of introduction from the Secretary of the reciprocal club. Services at Punjab Club are used by the members of the reciprocal club on the same terms and condition as the members of Punjab Club are allowed. The information regarding the reciprocal clubs can be obtain from the office of the Secretary.
AFFILIATED CLUBS
Punjab Club has reciprocal membership arrangements with various prestigious clubs within Pakistan and overseas. Reciprocity with these clubs enables our members to feel at home while being away from home. Members who wish to use the facilities of our reciprocal clubs should apply at Secretary’s office for an introduction card from Punjab Club to the concerned club. Following is the list of our affiliated clubs along with their contact information.
LIST OF AFFILIATED CLUBS
NAVAL MILITARY & AIR FORCE CLUB OF S.A.
111-Hutt Street, Adelaide, S.A.
Australia.
Tel: 08-223-2422
Fax: 08-232-3082
UNITED SERVICE CLUB
183 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane, Qld 4000
Australia.
Tel: 07-3831 4433
Fax: 07-3832 6307
E-mail: enquiries@unitedserviceclub.com.au
Website: www.unitedserviceclub.com.au
THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB LTD
A.B.N. 25 008 394 723
25 Forster Crescent, Yarralumla, A.C.T.2600
Australia.
Tel: 61 02 6120 2100
Fax: 61 02 6120 2122
E-Mail: admin@commonwealth.com.au
www.commonwealth.com.au
EGYPT
CAIRO CAPITAL CLUB
9-Rostom Street, Garden City
Cairo, Egypt.
Tel: 202-795-3999
Fax: 202-795-4264
E-mail: info@cairocapitalclub.com
Web: www.cairocapitalclub.com
FRANCE
SAINT JAMES CLUB
5 Place Chancelier Adenauer
43 Avenue, Bugeaud, 75116 Paris
France
Tel: (33) 01 44058181
Fax (33) 0144058182
GREECE
ATHENS CLUB
11 Eleft Venizelos AV, 105,64 Athens
Greece
Tel: 3244-611-612-613
YACHT CLUB OF GREECE ATHENS
Kastela, Paries
Greece.
Tel: 0031-1-417930
INDIA
THE SATURDAY CLUB LIMITED
7-Wood Street, Kolkata – 700016
India.
Tel: (033) 22405961-63, 22475411-2, 22870285-6
Fax: (033) 22401318
Email: satclub@cal.vsnl.net.in
secretary@saturday-club.com
UMED CLUB
Old Public Park, Gaushala Grounds,
Jodhpur 342001,
India.
Tel: 91-291-622620
Fax: 091-291-35349
E-mail: secretary@umedclub.com
Website: www.umedclub.com
INTERNATIONAL CLUB
Joyamat Nagar, Hilltop,
Edathala, Cochin-683561
Kerala,
India.
Tel: (0484) 680290, 680390, 680502, 680729, 680731-32
Fax: (0484) 680490
Website: http://www.indianmade.com/intl-club
JAIPUR CLUB LIMITED
Jacob Road, Opp: PWD Office,
Jaipur-302006
India.
Tel: (0141) 5101688-91, 2221195
Fax: (0141) 5101690
Email: jcl@jaipurclub.com
Website: www.jaipurclub.com
KARNAVATI CLUB LIMITED
Gandhi Nagar – Sarkhej Highway
Ahmedabad 380 058
India
Tel: 079-6927591, 6928960, 6929749
Fax: 079-6929748
E-mail: karnavaticlubltd@hotmail.com
ROYAL WESTERN INDIA TURF CLUB
Race Course, 6-Arjun Marg,
Pune 411 001,
India
Tel: 0011-020-6362666
Fax: 0019-912-6361036
JAPAN
KOBE CLUB
4-15-1 Kitano-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe 650 0002
P.O.Box No. 437
Japan
Tel: 078-2412588
Fax: 078-2918054
E-mail: kobeclub@go.com
MALAYSIA
ROYAL SUNGEI UJONG CLUB
No.2 Jalan Dato Kelana Ma’Amor
P.O. Box NO. 76, 70700 Seremban,
N.S.D.K. Negeri Sembilan
Malaysia
Tel: 606-7623058, 606-7630104, 606-7630142
Fax: 606-7621915
E-mail: clubrsuc@streamyx.com.my & royalsuc@gmail.com
Website: www.rsuc.com.my
KELANTAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
5488 Jalan Hospital, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Malaysia
Tel: 09-7482102
Fax: 09-7472918
SEGAMAT COUNTRY CLUB
P.O. Box No. C22, 85007 Segamat Johar,
Malaysia
Tel: 07-9435968 & 9431442
Fax: 07-9432301
LOWER PERAK CLUB
Jalan Rumah Rihat, Teluk Intan Perak
Malaysia
Tel: 611955 & 611995
JOHORE CULTURAL & SPORTS CLUB
623 Jalan Sungei Chat, 80100 Johore Bahru Johore
Malaysia
Tel: 07-241899
Fax: 07-249670
KULIM CLUB
10, Taman Tasik Putra,
09000 Kulim Kedah Darul Aman,
Malaysia
Tel: 04-4906054 & 04-4918746
Fax: 04-4914414
E-Mail: kclud@tm.net.my
ROYAL SELANGOR CLUB
Jalan Raja, 50050, Kuala Lumpur,
P. O. Box No. 10137, 50704, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: 0011-603-26927166
Fax: 0015-603-26934724
E-mail: berita@rscweb.org.my
Website: www.rscweb.org.my
NEW CLUB
No.1, Jalan Kelab Baru 34000, Taiping
Malaysia
Tel: 8073935
SANDAKAN YACHT CLUB
P. O. Box No. 476, Sandakan 90705, Sabah
Malaysia
Tel: 089-212518 & 089-216572
Fax: 089-215542
E-mail: syc14jln@tm.net.my
Website: www.syc.org.my
KELAB TAMAN PERDANA DIRAJA KUALA LUMPUR CLUB
Peti Surat 10642, 50720 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Tel: 03-26987878
Fax: 03-26989889
E-mail: quest@royallakeclub.org.my
Website: www.royallakeclub.org.my
ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY
No.4, Jalan Birah, Damansara
Heights 50490, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: 0011-603-20944089
Fax: 0015-603-20933722
E-mail: rcs99@yahoo.com
rocoso@pd.jaring.my
QATAR
DOHA CLUB
P. O. BOX NO. 3666
Doha - Qatar
Tel: 418822
Fax:327811
SOUTH AFRICA
VICTORIA CLUB
P.O.BOX NO. 277, Petermarizburg 3200
South Africa
Tel: 0331-454405 & 454480
Fax:0331-454405
VICTORIA COUNTRY CLUB
Duncan Mackenzie Drive
P.O.Box No. 203, Pietermaritzburg 3200
South Africa
Tel: 0331-471942
Fax:0331-471041
SPAIN
THE GRAN PENA
Gran Via, 228013 Madrid
Spain
Tel: 09-522 4613
SINGAPORE
THE TANGLIN CLUB
5 Stevens Road 257814
Singapore.
Tel: 66220 555
DID: 6622 0493
Fax: 6733 2391
laura.monteiro@tanglin-club.org.sg
SRI LANKA
COLOMBO CLUB
The Lanka Oberoi Hotel, 77-Steuart Place, Colombo 3
P.O.Box No. 354, Colombo
Sri Lanka
Tel: 0094-1-324218
Fax:0094-1-324219
THE HILL CLUB
29, Grand Hotel Road,
Nuwara Eliya,
Sri Lanka.
Tel: 052-2222653
Email: hillclub@sltnet.lk
THAILAND
GARDEN CITY CLUB
400 Sukhumvit 79, Phrakhanong
Bangkok-10250
Tel: 3117414-15
THE BRITISH CLUB
189 Surawongse Road, Bangkok 10500
Thailand
Tel: (662) 234-0247,234-2592,266-4734,266-0597
Fax: (662) 235-1560
E-mail: britclub@roxinfo.co.th
UNITED KINGDOM
OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY CLUB
71 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5HD, Great Britain
London
Tel: 020-73215105
Fax: 020-79308875
E-mail: club@oandc.uk.com
secretary@oandc.uk.com
Website: http://www.oxfordcambrigeclub.co.uk.
THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY
25 Northumberland Avenue
London WC2N 5AP,
U.K.
Tel: (020) 79306733 & (020) 7766 9200
Fax: (020) 79309705 & (020) 7766 9222
E-mail: info@rcsint.org
Website: http://www/rcsint.org
ROYAL OVERSEAS LEAGUE
Overseas House, Park Place, St; James’s Street
London SW1A-1LR
Tel: (020) 7408 0214
Fax: (020) 7493 0262
E-mail: info@rosl.org.uk
Website: www.rosl.org.uk
Overseas House, 100 Princes Street,
Edinburgh EH2 3AB,
Tel: 0131 225 1501
Fax: 0131 226 3936
E-mail: info@rosl.org.uk
Website: www.rosl.org.uk
THE ST. JAMES’S CLUB LTD
7-8, Park Place
London SW1A ILP
Tel: 44-207-629-7688
Fax:44-207-491-0987
E-mail: mail@stjmesclub.co.uk
Website: www.stjamesclub.co.uk
THE LANSDOWNE CLUB
9, Fitzmaurice Place,
London W1X 5JD
Tel: 020-7629 7200 (reservation Tel: 020 7629 2896)
Fax:020-7408-0246
E-mail: Reservations@LansdowneClub.com
Website: www.lansdowneclub.com
THE CALEDONIAN CLUB
32, Abercrombie Place Edinburgh EH3 6AE
Scotland
Tel: 0131-577 2675
Fax:0131-566 5744
THE NEW CLUB
86 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2BB
Scotland.
Tel: (0131) 2264881
Fax: (0131) 2259649
E-mail: info@newclub.co.uk
Website: www.newclub.co.uk
ROYAL SCOTS CLUB
29, Abercrombie Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6QE
Scotland
Tel: 0131-5564270
Fax: 0131-5583769
E-mail: royscotsclub@sol.co.uk
Website: www.roylscotsclub.com
NOTTINGHAM & NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
United Services Club Limited
Newdigate House, Castle Gate
Nottingham United Kingdom, NG1 6Af
U.K.
Tel: 0602-418001 / 472138
CITY UNIVERSITY CLUB
50, Corn hill
London EC3V 3PD
Tel: 020-7626 8571
Fax:020-7626 8572
E-mail: secretary@cityuniversityclub.co.uk
Website: www.cityuniversityclub.co.uk
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE PRESIDENTS CLUB
100 Second Avenue South,
10th Floor, St. Petersburg, FL-33701
United States of America
Tel: 813-821-7608
ARMY AND NAVY CLUB
On Farragut Square, 901, 17th St; N.W.
Washington, DC-20006-2503
United States of America
Tel: (202) 721 2094
Fax (202) 785 2481
E-mail: aharai@armynavyclub.org
E-mail: Reservation: frontdesk-POS1@armynavyclub.org
THE STOCK EXCHANGE LUNCHEON CLUB
11 Wall Street
New York NY-10005
Tel: 212-344-6855
Fax: 212-344-7007
THE DOWN TOWN ASSOCIATION
Sixty Pine Street, N.Y.
New York-10005
Tel: 212-422-1982
Fax:212-809-7632
E-mail: reception@thedta.com
EMBASSY CLUB
801 Grand Avenue Suite No. 4000
Dess Moines, Iowa 50309-2762
United States of America
Tel: 515-288-2326
Fax:515-284-1009
THE WINGS CLUB
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, NY-10017, New York
Not for Accommodation
Tel: 212-867-1770
Fax: 212-986-5749
E-mail: wingsclub@aol.com
Website: www.wingsclub.org