Qureshi presents details of foreign gifts received in NA

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday presented in the National Assembly the details of gifts received by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi from various foreign dignitaries.

The top diplomat provided details of the 43 gifts he received in the last three years to the National Assembly along with the names of the countries and heads of states.

As per the reports, the 43 items received by the foreign minister as gifts from various foreign dignitaries include a Rolex wristwatch from the government of Saudi Arabia, a gold pen with gems from the government of Saudi Arabia, a pair of gold cufflinks from the government of Saudi Arabia, gems-studded tasbeeh and gold chain from the government of Saudi Arabia, gold ring from the government of Saudi Arabia, Turkish pot (decoration piece) from Turkish foreign minister, a decoration piece from DG (SI) of Iran, an oil painting with wooden frame and velvet box from Tajik prime minister, and Chinese wall hanging from Minister for International Dep of CPC, among other exotic gifts.

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However, the foreign ministry’s decision to release these hitherto unknown details has fuelled questions as to what has been keeping Prime Minister Imran Khan himself to make public the names of heads of states he received the gifts from.

The ruling party has long designated them as “classified”.

The issue of Toshakhana became a major controversy when the government approached the IHC against the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) decision to reveal gifts given to the premier by foreign heads of states and others.

Also read: Govt refuses to reveal details of foreign gifts received by PM Imran

The federal government challenged the matter in Islamabad High Court (IHC), arguing that details of the gifts received by the prime minister have been designated as “classified”, adding that disclosures about the gift exchanges between heads of states could trigger unnecessary media hype, possibly damaging Pakistan’s relations with other countries.