LHC seeks 1947-2001 toshakhana record

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the government to present the toshakhana record from 1947 to 2001 before the court, ARY News reported on Monday.

As per details, a two-member bench of LHC headed by Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan heard the government’s plea against the decision of making the toshakhana record public.

The deputy attorney general told the court that there is no record of toshakhana from 1947 to 2001. How is it possible that there is no record with the government, the court remarked.

The deputy attorney general said he was also surprised when he knew that the state has no record of Toshakhana from 1947 to 2001.

The judge expressed annoyance saying that the government passes the bill overnight but the bills which are for the state’s benefit are not passed.

He ordered to present of the toshakhana record before the court as it is a matter for the young generation’s future sake.

If the record is not submitted then the court will summon all the officers from 1947 till today even if they are retired.

Earlier, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the government to make a complete record of Toshakhana gifts received by public office holders from 1990 to 2001 public.

Established in 1974, the 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.