[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]ISLAMABAD: According to news, the federal government has prohibited government officials, including the president, prime minister, and cabinet members, from keeping Toshakhana gifts worth more than $300.
In addition, judges, civil and military officers are prohibited from keeping presents worth more than $300. While issuing necessary instructions regarding the Toshakhana Policy 2023, the government has announced that it will be implemented immediately.
The new guideline was put in place after the 2002-2023 record revealed that senior political figures kept presents after completing minimum payments.
Toshakhana gifts and gifts from foreign notables and dignitaries, which are given to top state and government officials and stored in a ‘treasure house,’ are traditionally regarded state property. But, according to official policy, these presents are exclusively available to the political and bureaucratic elite, both civilian and military, as well as superior court judges.
These most powerful parts of society are generally allowed to keep gifts obtained during official foreign tours or from foreign dignitaries at heavily subsidised rates, or they are auctioned off to federal government and armed services officers. Everything remains is absorbed into the Toshakhana.
According to sources, the government has prohibited the possession of vehicles, watches, jewellery, and other presents costing millions of rupees.
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According to the sources, the president, prime minister, cabinet members, judges, and civil and military officers will be prohibited from keeping presents worth more than $300, and they will also be prohibited from accepting cash as gifts from local and foreign dignitaries.
According to the sources, when they receive forced monetary presents, they are directed to “immediately deposit” the entire amount to the national treasury, and no one shall be authorised to purchase vehicles or expensive antiques received as gifts.
Gifted automobiles will be properly catalogued and shown in the Cabinet Division’s central pool of cars, while valuable antiques will be showcased at government-owned official locations, according to the sources. According to the policy, the president, prime minister, cabinet members, judges, and civil and military leaders will be able to buy gifts worth less than $300 at market value, while the general people will be able to acquire gifts for more than $300 through an open auction.
According to sources, other officials will be barred from keeping gifts for their families, and gold and silver coins will be turned over to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
According to the sources, anyone who violates the Toshakhana policy would face severe consequences, and personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be required to present gifts to the Cabinet Division. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and private firms will determine the worth of the gifts, while a private firm and the Pakistan Ordinance Factory will determine the value of the weapons received as gifts.
According to the reports, personnel in grades 1 through 4 will be authorised to accept cash as gifts from foreign dignitaries.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
