Power sharing deal falls apart as Siddique ‘manoeuvres’ to retain Lahore Gymkhana chairmanship

LAHORE – The Lahore Gymkhana Club's chairmanship could not change hands on Wednesday as two members of the "Monopoly Breakers" group allegedly switched loyalties, preventing Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera from taking over the position under an earlier six-month power-sharing agreement.

Key points

• After the 6-6 result, the two sides reportedly agreed that Siddique would serve as chairman for the first six months and Sukhera for the after six months.
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• The Monopoly Breakers group had challenged the long-standing dominance of the traditional group and secured six of the 12 seats.
• Giving his version of the proceedings, Salman Siddique remarked he had unveiled at the outset that Wednesday was his last day as chairman.

Notably, the development has triggered a fresh dispute within the club's 12-member management committee, with both sides giving conflicting accounts of the circumstances that led to the voting and continuation of Salman Siddique as chairman. The club elections for 2026-27, held in February, had produced an equal split, with six members elected from Siddique's traditional group and six from the newly formed Monopoly Breakers group led by Sukhera. Pakistan, Syria pledge stronger ties in Islamabad discussions.

After the 6-6 result, the two sides reportedly agreed that Siddique would serve as chairman for the first six months and Sukhera for the after six months. The arrangement was additionally recorded in the minutes of the relevant gathering, according to members of the Monopoly Breakers group. As Siddique's six-month term concluded, the chairmanship was anticipated to pass to Sukhera. Nevertheless, the management committee gathering on Wednesday took an unexpected turn.

According to members of the Salaman Siddique group, two of Monopoly Group members, Dr Ali Razzaq and Dr Jawad Sajid, changed their position and voted in favour of Siddique, enabling him to retain the chairmanship for another six months. Kamran Lashari, a member of the Monopoly Breakers group, alleged that the Siddique group had agreed six months ago to the power-sharing arrangement and had voted in favour of Sukhera becoming chairman for the next six months. "The decision was recorded in minutes. Now they have backed out, saying it is politics and that the numbers are on our side, " Lashari remarked. In practice, the session had initially been called to discuss the disbursement of enhanced salaries to club employees. According to Salman Siddique, nevertheless, other matters additionally came under discussion.

Giving his version of the proceedings, Salman Siddique remarked he had unveiled at the outset that Wednesday was his last day as chairman. "However, there was some discussion on other issues and a majority of the members of the management committee expressed no confidence in the policies of the Monopoly group, " he remarked. Siddique remarked he informed the members that the differences should be resolved within the group. According to him, Lashari then suggested that the matter should be settled through voting. He remarked seven of the 12 members voted against the Monopoly group and asked him to continue as chairman. Siddique remarked he would try to resolve the matter amicably at the next management committee gathering. It was probable to be held on Tuesday or Wednesday.

He additionally stated he had asked Sukhera to resolve differences with members of his own group who did not agree with its proposed agenda of change. "Sukhera is like my son, " Siddique remarked, adding that he had asked him to take all members of his group along with him. He expressed hope that the differences would be resolved at the next session. The latest development has effectively stalled the planned rotation of the chairmanship and deepened the power struggle that emerged after the February elections.

Notably, the Monopoly Breakers group had challenged the long-standing dominance of the traditional group and secured six of the 12 seats. Its supporters had viewed the result as a mandate for change in the club's management. Over 21, 900 Pakistanis deported from Gulf countries since March, NA informed.

For context, the current dispute has now raised questions regarding the status of the six-month power-sharing arrangement and whether the agreed transfer of the chairmanship can still take place. As their votes altered the 6-6 balance and enabled Siddique to remain chairman, it has additionally brought the role of the two members who allegedly changed loyalties under scrutiny.

For now, power sharing deal falls apart as Siddique 'manoeuvres' to retain Lahore Gymkhana remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.