LHC seeks details of Toshakhana gifts obtained by political leaders, bureaucrats since Independence

LHC has sought details of Toshakhana gifts obtained by political leaders, and bureaucrats since the independence!

As reported, the Lahore High Court has ordered the federal government to provide details of gifts received by foreign personalities to political rulers and bureaucrats since the creation of Pakistan by January 16.

The development comes as a hearing was held on the petition filed for providing the details of receiving gifts from Tosha Khana since 1947.

Justice Asim Hafeez heard the petition of citizen Muneer Ahmed through the mediation of Advocate Azhar Siddique.

Petitioner’s lawyer Azhar Siddique said that since 1947, all the details regarding who received how many gifts from Tosha Khana should be made public, and when the gifts are given, the details should come out.

During the hearing, the request was opposed by the lawyer of the federal government.

The lawyer of the federal government objected to the request and said that this is confidential information and cannot be made public.

The court inquired how this matter can remain confidential. “If you submit the details to the court, the court will decide whether they are confidential or not, the LHC said.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court asked the government for full details of the gifts given by Toshakhana.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case by ordering the federal government to provide all the details to the court by January 16.

The Toshakhana department was established in 1974 under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division which takes custody of the valuable gifts given to rulers, MPs, and bureaucrats by the governments of other Member States and heads of state and foreign visitors.

The Toshakhana department has been in the news in recent times for its incompetence against former prime minister Imran Khan for not sharing details of Tosha Khana’s gifts and proceeds from their alleged sale and for making false statements and false declarations.

Gifts and other such items received shall be reported to the Cabinet Division as per Toshakhana rules.