Several top leaders received gifts, reveals Toshakhana record

ISLAMABAD, JAN 30 (DNA): The Toshakhana record from March 2023 to December 31, 2024, shows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was among the notable individuals who had received presents during this period, records from the Cabinet Division revealed.

Many dignitaries, including PM Shehbaz, President Asif Ali Zardari, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, former caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, former president Arif Alvi, and former chief justice Qazi Faez Isa, received gifts between March 2023 and December 2024, as per a Cabinet Division notification.

Federal ministers Musadik Malik, Rana Sanaullah, Attaullah Tarar, and Jam Kamal were among the other recepients, along with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, and Minister of Law Azam Nazeer Tarar.

MNA Aseefa Bhutto, Senator Talha Mahmood, Tariq Fatemi, Yousaf Raza Gilani, FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were all listed in the announcement as receivers of the gifts.

The recipients also included Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, Vice Admiral Abdul Samad, Chief Security Officer to Prime Minister Muhammad Imran, Brigadier Shahryar Munir Hafeez, President Zardari’s Military Secretary, and Major General Tajdid Mumtaz, Prime Minister’s Military Secretary.

Former caretaker ministers, including finance minister Shamshad Akhtar, foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, IT minister Dr Umar Saif, commerce minister Gohar Ejaz, and energy minister Muhammad Ali were also listed as beneficiaries.

Under a new rule introduced by the Shehbaz government, gifts for $300 or less could be kept by the recipient, while all additional gifts had to be deposited with Toshakhana.

According to records since 1997, individuals such as Nawaz, Shehbaz, former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Gohar Ayub Khan, former president Pervez Musharraf, former president Rafique Tarar, Dar, Asif, Sheikh Rashid, Tahmina Daultana, and Saeed Mehdi were among those who received gifts.

In 1998, as prime minister, Nawaz had received gifts worth Rs1.721 million and retained them after paying Rs259,121. These included a gold and diamond jewellery set and a luxury watch. As Punjab chief minister, Shehbaz Sharif had received gifts worth Rs1.315 million and retained them after paying Rs198,544. His gifts included a gold watch and men’s and women’s wristwatches.

Musharraf, as chief executive, had retained a television set and a decorative bowl for free while making payments for a dragon figurine, a watch, and a Kehwa pot. Then-president Tarar and then-foreign minister Abdus Sattar had retained multiple gifts, either for free or after making payments. Asif had kept a luxury watch, while the then Ehtesab Bureau chairman had retained a table clock after payment.

Lt Gen (retd) Iftikhar Ali Khan had paid to retain a table clock, while Syeda Abida Hussain had purchased a jewellery box. Several former foreign secretaries had also paid to retain gifts received on official occasions.

Since the adoption of the new Toshakhana policy in 2023, President Zardari and PM Shehbaz have deposited all gifts with the Toshakhana. Shehbaz had paid $30 each to retain a candy box and a painting.

Former president Alvi had also deposited most of his gifts with the Toshakhana but retained a briefcase after making payment. Former caretaker prime minister Kakar had similarly deposited most of his gifts. Since March 2023, most recipients of Toshakhana gifts have complied with the new policy by depositing gifts with the Toshakhana.