KARACHI:
It is a normal diplomatic practice that heads of state exchange gifts on a reciprocal basis as a token of friendship between two countries, which are paid from the national exchequer of their respective states. Hence, the gifts belong to the nation and not the individual. In most countries, including the US, consumable items like chocolates, dates, and fruit can be retained by the recipient individuals. In addition, the recipient can retain these gifts as a memento if their value is below a certain amount, which is usually around $200.
In Pakistan, there are two limits respectively under Rs30,000 or above. In India, the limit is Rs5,000 and anything above this value can be bought at the prevailing market value and the amount must be deposited in the national treasury. Individuals holding important constitutional offices are expected to behave in a dignified manner to serve as role models. Otherwise, there are moral and ethical issues. It seems that our elected elite suffers from a compulsive disorder accentuated by their insatiable greed to take Toshakhana gifts and state lands allotted to them at throwaway prices and sell them for commercial profits and then justify this abuse. These irregularities have been perpetuated for decades due to which many individuals have gone berserk.
The Israeli Prime Minister is under investigation for accepting gifts from billionaires, including a donation of $270,000 from a relative for legal fees to battle corruption charges. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, this misuse and abuse of power have continued for decades. Quaid referred to this corruption as cancer that we inherited from British Raj, which must be dealt with an iron hand. Alas, all those who come to power do not challenge these practices and instead adhere to them.
Malik Tariq
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, March 16th, 2023.
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