PAC Scrutinizes Illegal Toshakhana Amendments and Missing Records
In a meeting chaired by Chairman Junaid Akbar Khan, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament conducted a detailed review of illegal amendments made to the Toshakhana rules and examined the audit report on the management of gifts received by government officials. The session exposed major irregularities in record-keeping and raised serious concerns about transparency.
Unapproved Amendments to Toshakhana Rules
The Cabinet initially approved the Toshakhana rules in 1993. However, subsequent amendments in 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2017, and 2018 were made without Cabinet approval. These unauthorized changes allegedly relaxed the rules, particularly benefiting the Prime Minister, thus violating the original framework.
Previously, officials could retain gifts by paying 30% of their assessed value, later increased to 50%. A new proposal now suggests allowing officials to keep gifts by paying 100% of their value.
Read More: New policy declared after top politicians exposed in Toshakhana record.
New Toshakhana Act and Future Regulations
With the enactment of the Toshakhana Act 2024, new rules are awaiting Cabinet approval. The Secretary of the Cabinet emphasized that only the Cabinet has the authority to amend Toshakhana regulations, ensuring future compliance with proper legislative procedures.
Concerns Over Missing Records
A major revelation during the session was the disappearance of Toshakhana records from 1990 to 2002, raising accountability concerns. The Cabinet Secretary clarified that records from 2002 onward are accessible on the Cabinet’s website, while older records are archived and may take time to retrieve.
Committee member Tariq Fazal questioned whether a comparative study had been conducted on how other nations handle official gifts. The Cabinet Secretary cited the United States as an example, highlighting their strict regulations and predefined limits on gift acceptance.
Call for Complete Transparency
Senator Afnanullah and other committee members demanded that all Toshakhana records since 1947 be uploaded online for full transparency. Senator Shibli Faraz expressed disappointment over the poor state of the National Archives, noting a lack of research activity there.
Acknowledging past mismanagement, the Cabinet Secretary assured the committee that significant improvements have been implemented, including modern scanning techniques to better organize historical records.
Chairman PAC’s Directive
To ensure comprehensive accountability, Chairman PAC Junaid Akbar Khan ordered the retrieval and review of all Toshakhana records from 1947 to the present. This move aims to restore public trust and reinforce transparency in the management of state gifts.
