LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered the government to release the complete records of Toshakhana from 1990 to 2001 despite opposition.
In its orders issued by Justice Asim Hafeez, the High Court has directed the authorities to release all the records, saying that nothing can be kept from public view. The court directed that the name of the friendly country which gifted the items should also be mentioned.
Following its objection to sharing the sources of the gift, the federal government said it would challenge the court’s decision. Justice Asim Hafeez remarked that it is the right of the government to challenge the decree.
“No person shall retain the gift without payment,” the order said.
The High Court’s directive came on the plea of a citizen, Muneer Hafeez, who had sought complete details of gifts received by political rulers and bureaucrats from foreign dignitaries since the creation of Pakistan.
Earlier this month, the federal government released Toshakhana records dating back to 2002, exposing the country’s political leadership that profited from the depository.
The government had argued that releasing all the records could harm Pakistan’s relations with friendly countries, but the court ignored these warnings and ordered the records to be declassified.
Last week, the court ordered the production of Toshakhana’s pre-2002 records in any form available, adding that it would pass appropriate orders after examining the records.
New Toshakahana policy
Under the new Toshakhana policy, all government officials, including ruling political elites, parliamentarians, judges, generals and bureaucrats, must declare and deposit all gifts received by them within 30 days of receiving the gifts, otherwise against Punitive action will be taken against the violator.
The policy, notified on March 8, 2023, has done away with the earlier rules that allowed government employees to keep any gift on payment of 50% of the value.
Now any gift over USD 300 will immediately become the property of Toshakhana, while gifts up to USD 300 can be retained by the recipient without discount on payment of estimated market value.
However, this exemption shall not be available in case of antiques and gifts of intrinsic historical value. All such gifts shall be duly cataloged and displayed in prominent buildings owned by the Government.
However, recipients may retain gifts of perishable items without reporting or depositing them in the Toshakhana.
In order to ensure that every gift received is reported and deposited in the Toshakhana, the policy envisages that the Chief of Protocol, Ministry of External Affairs, or his representative who is a guest or non-guest. Attached to the country delegation, will be responsible for providing the list of gifts. Received by the Cabinet Division with the names of the recipients.
