KARACHI:
Over the last few months, Toshakhana has become a widely discussed topic in the Pakistani media and among the public. According to the Tosha Khana (Management and Regulation) Act 2022, Toshakhana is defined as a ‘store’ or ‘repository’ that serves the purpose of maintaining, preserving, and storing the gifts received by public office holders. When Presidents, Prime Ministers and other public office holders go on official foreign trips, they may receive gifts. These are recorded by Foreign Ministry officials and posted at the embassy of the country, the official is visiting.
Every few years there is a new controversy surrounding Toshakhana gifts; therefore, the rules for retaining these gifts should be tightened. Public officeholders should not be allowed to buy these gifts at heavily discounted rates. The Toshakhana should not be a discount shop for our leaders. The government and relevant authorities must create new regulations for the items prohibiting the selling and buying of gifts. The gifts should instead be displayed at museums or government offices like the President House. Items that cannot be displayed should be auctioned.
All government personnel and civil servants who receive gifts from foreign countries should declare and submit them for evaluation. In the past, there have been cases of foreign spy agencies or countries giving gifts with hidden devices for espionage. Therefore, the Toshakhana rules should apply to all public office holders and gifts should undergo due process.
Shahryar Khan Baseer
Peshawar
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2022.
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