In a major policy shift, the federal government has decided to prohibit high-ranking officials from accepting gifts from foreign countries, aiming to put an end to controversies surrounding the Toshakhana state repository.
A committee led by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has recommended changes to Toshakhana rules, proposing that friendly countries be formally requested to stop offering gifts at the official level. The decision comes in response to a series of scandals that emerged over the years, involving government officials receiving and allegedly misusing state gifts.
Speaking to Samaa TV, Khawaja Asif stated that once the prime minister approves the recommendations, an official ban will be imposed.
"Whether someone gives a book or something else, that’s a different matter, but as far as valuable gifts are concerned, we will specifically inform our friendly nations that these should be completely stopped," he said.
He further emphasized that preventing the exchange of gifts would eliminate future controversies. "Neither gifts will come nor will there be any dispute," he added, hinting that final approval is expected within a week.
High-profile Toshakhana cases
Toshakhana, a state repository meant for safeguarding official gifts, has been at the centre of multiple political scandals. Several prominent figures, including former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif, Yousaf Raza Gilani and Imran Khan, and President Asif Ali Zardari, have faced allegations of retaining the gifts and not depositing them with the Toshakhana state repository or paying the required price to keep them.
