90-year-old Minerva Club razed

FAISALABAD: The Minerva Club, one of Faisalabad’s best-known historic sites, has been demolished after authorities moved to take over the property following the expiry of its lease, ending the presence of an institution that had been part of the city’s social and cultural life for more than 90 years.

The district administration, backed by police and paramilitary personnel, took possession of the site in a joint operation before handing it over to the provincial government. Municipal Corporation machinery was then used to raze the club building. Assistant Commissioner City Adil Umer said more than 28 kanals of government land, valued at around Rs40 billion, were recovered during the operation. Officials said the move was carried out after the lease period ended.

Club’s place in the city’s history

Founded in 1935, the Minerva Club was regarded as one of Faisalabad’s oldest social and recreational institutions. In the pre-Partition period, it served as a meeting place for British officials and wealthy residents of Lyallpur. In later decades, it became a prominent venue used by lawyers, politicians, businessmen and other influential figures in the city.

The club included facilities such as tennis courts, a swimming pool, event halls and dining spaces. It also hosted weddings, social events and community gatherings, giving it a lasting place in the city’s social life. The club had more than 500 members when it was shut down.

Concerns over heritage loss

The demolition has drawn criticism from some residents, historians and former members, who see the loss as damaging to Faisalabad’s architectural and cultural heritage. Human rights activist and lawyer Rana Sufyan Arshad questioned why stronger efforts were not made to preserve the site despite its historical importance.

"This was not just a building; it was part of Faisalabad's identity and heritage," he said.

"If the lease had expired, alternative solutions could have been explored to preserve the structure as a historical and cultural landmark," Arshad also said.

He added that several other properties operating on leased land had remained intact through court action or administrative arrangements, and asked why similar steps were not pursued in the Minerva Club case. According to Arshad, the property had been tied up in legal and administrative disputes for years, with multiple efforts made to recover the land before the latest action resolved the matter.

Officials have maintained that the operation was conducted in line with the law after the lease expired. Critics, however, say the site’s historic significance should have led to special consideration. The demolition has also renewed calls from residents for stronger protection of Faisalabad’s remaining heritage locations.