Pakistan Bans High-Ranking Officials from Accepting Foreign Gifts Amid Toshakhana Controversy
Islamabad – In a significant policy shift, the federal government has decided to ban high-ranking officials from accepting gifts from foreign nations, aiming to put an end to Toshakhana-related controversies.
Committee Proposes Ban on State Gifts
A government committee, led by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, has proposed revisions to Toshakhana rules, recommending that friendly nations be officially requested to stop offering gifts to Pakistani officials.
Speaking to Samaa TV, Khawaja Asif stated that once the prime minister approves the recommendations, an official ban will be enforced.
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“If someone gives a book or minor item, that’s different. But valuable gifts must be entirely stopped, and we will inform friendly nations accordingly,” he said.
He further emphasized that eliminating state gifts would prevent future disputes, noting that final approval of the ban is expected within a week.
Toshakhana Scandals and High-Profile Cases
The Toshakhana, a state repository meant for safeguarding official gifts, has been at the center of political scandals for years.
Several high-profile leaders, including former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif, Yousaf Raza Gilani, and Imran Khan, as well as President Asif Ali Zardari, have faced allegations of misusing state gifts—either by keeping them without depositing in Toshakhana or not paying the required price.
