ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to put up the gifts he received during his official trips to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in April this year on display at the Prime Minister’s House in a bid to end the misuse of the Toshakhana rules.

A notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Wednesday said: “The premier does not wish to retain any of the gift items presented to him during his visits to Saudi Arabia and UAE dated April 28 to April 30, 2022.”

“The prime minister desires that as a policy, all precious gifts should be taken on charge by Toshakhana and consequently be permanently displayed at the PM House. The gifts would be displayed in secure display cabinets, equipped with alarm systems, under the responsibility of the Toshakhana.”

The notification stated that in the first phase, five such cabinets dedicated to each country – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and China – be prepared to showcase the gifts received from the respective countries.

These cabinets would also feature the presents PM Shehbaz received during his official trips to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The gifts PM Sharif received included a pair of wristwatches - an A. Lange & Sonhe Datograph watch and a Rolex - along with cufflinks, a pen, ring and rosary by the Chopard brand.

Furthermore, the PM directed the concerned authorities to display the gifts to showcase Pakistan’s fraternal ties with friendly countries.

Toshakhana rules

Established in 1974, the Toshakhana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and houses precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by heads of other governments, states, and foreign dignitaries. Valuables in Toshakhana range from bulletproof cars, gold-plated souvenirs, and expensive paintings in addition to watches, ornaments, rugs, and swords.

Former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, and ex-president Asif Ali Zardari were accused of keeping such gifts after paying meager prices. Mr Khan is also facing a trial for selling the gifts he got during his official visits to foreign countries as the PM of Pakistan.

Under the rules, it is mandatory that gifts of a certain value are deposited in Toshakhana. However, an official is also allowed to keep these gifts provided they pay a certain percentage of the price assessed by the Toshakhana evaluation committee.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2022