IHC orders to public details of Toshakhana gifts to Imran Khan
- By Jahangir Aslam -
- Apr 20, 2022
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday directed the government to public details of the gifts presented to former Prime Minister Imran Khan since August 2018 when he assumed office, ARY News reported.
A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb directed the deputy attorney general to public details of foreign gifts retained by former PM Imran Khan.
As the hearing went underway, the petitioner argued that former PM Khan sold valuable state gifts which is clearly a violation of the constitution.
At which, the IHC judge remarked that no one is above the law and directed the assistant attorney general to raise foreign gifts matter before the new cabinet.
“Present details of all foreign gifts retained by former PM Imran Khan in next hearing,” the IHC said while issuing directives to deputy attorney general.
The court also directed to recover all foreign gifts presented to government officials in past 20 years.
Assistant Attorney General Atiqur Rehman Siddiqui requested time to respond after which the court adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
‘Imran sold foreign gifts’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently accused PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan of selling gifts received during foreign visits.
PM SHEHBAZ ACCUSES IMRAN KHAN OF SELLING TOSHAKHANA GIFTS
Prime Minister Sharif made these claims during a meeting with senior journalists at PM House last Friday.
“I can confirm you that Imran Khan took gifts worth Rs140 million from Toshakhana and sold them in Dubai,” he said, adding that valuable state gifts include diamond jewellery, bracelets and watches.
‘My gifts, my choice’
About the PML-N and rival party’s allegations regarding selling gifts from toshakhana, the former PM said that whatever he bought from toshakhana is on record and if anyone has an evidence regarding corruption, he should come forward.
“I thank God, that in three years (of rule), all they have got against me is this toshakhana gift scandal, which is already on record,” said Imran Khan.
He maintained that he was well within his right to buy those gifts according to law and he in fact changed the rules and made it mandatory for officials to pay at least 50 percent of the value of the gift which was 25 percent in the past.
“My gifts, my choice,” the former prime minister responded to the criticism over the Toshakhana’s state gifts.
ASIF ALI ZARDARI GETS RELIEF IN TOSHAKHANA REFERENCE
What is the Toshakhana?
Established in 1974, Toshakhana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and officials by heads of other governments and states and foreign dignitaries as a goodwill gesture.
It has valuables ranging from bulletproof cars, gold-plated souvenirs and expensive paintings to watches, ornaments, rugs and swords.
As per the country’s law, any gift received from dignitaries of a foreign state must be put in the state depository or the Toshakhana.
Pending cases
It is pertinent to mention here that cases are pending in the Pakistan courts against former prime ministers and a president including Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan and Yusuf Raza Gilani regarding gifts received by them during official tours.
Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, former president Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani are named in a reference for allegedly obtaining luxury vehicles from the treasury by paying 15 percent of the actual price.