The Pakistani federal government has announced a ban on government officials, including the president, prime minister, cabinet members, judges, and civil and military officers, from retaining Toshakhana gifts valued over $300. The new policy has been issued after records from 2002-2023 showed top political leaders had kept gifts after making minimum payments. Toshakhana gifts and presents from foreign notables and dignitaries are usually considered the state’s possession. However, under government policy, these gifts are only available to political and bureaucratic elites, civilian and military, and judges of the superior judiciary. The ban also extends to receiving cash as gifts from domestic and foreign dignitaries. Any forced cash gifts received will have to be immediately deposited into the national treasury. Strict action will be taken against anyone violating the Toshakhana policy.
(Islamabad51-NewsDesk)
