Govt refuses to reveal Toshakhana gifts

The govt's statement comes after a citizen requested the high court to divulge all gift details for 'transparency'


Rana Yasif January 19, 2023
Lahore High Court. PHOTO: FILE

print-news
LAHORE:

The federal government submitted its statement before a single-judge bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday, expressing its reservations to the disclosure of Toshakhana gifts.

During the hearing of a petition for making the Toshakhana gift records public by a single bench, the government contended that revealing such details might damage the country’s interests and its international relations.

Read Reasons sought for not sharing Toshakhana gifts' details

The statement quoted Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Ordinance 2002, which provides that “information may be exempt if disclosures would likely cause grave and significant damage to the interests of Pakistan.

The Toshakhana, administrated by the Cabinet Division, is a government repository which stores, maintains and preserves the gifts received by public office holders.

It caught media attention after former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was accused of hiding details of the gifts he received during his tenure in the government.

In its three-page response, the government said that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) declared on November 26, 2015 that the information pertaining to Toshakhana gifts was classified.

“Disclosure of such information can cause unnecessary media hype, which could be potentially damaging to the interests of Pakistan in the conduct of international relations,“ the statement added.

The government further argued that various requests by private citizens seeking Toshakhana information under the Right of Access to Information Act, had been “declined” by the Cabinet Division.

Read More Imran withdraws petition from IHC

Aggrieved by the decisions, the applicants filed appeals to the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC), on which directions were given to the Cabinet Division to provide information to the appellants,” it continued.

On May 24, 2022, the PIC passed adverse orders of docking of one-month salary of the cabinet secretary. The Cabinet Division challenged the PIC orders in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), it added.

Also read IHC to hear plea seeking Toshakhana details since 1947

Moreover, the statement further said the PMO had constituted an inter-ministerial committee to formulate a new Toshakhana policy, which had proposed the Toshakhana Procedure, 2022.

A draft of the Toshakhana Bill had been submitted to the PMO for approval for placing it before the federal cabinet for a “wholesome discussion” in the cabinet for finalise a transparent and fair policy, the statement added.

The government prayed that the case be adjourned and ample time be allowed for the federal cabinet’s decision on the new policy and bill.

During the hearing, Justice Asim Hafeez asked how the country’s security and international relations would be affected if the details of the Toshakhana were made public. He sought an affidavit from Toshakhana’s head of department by February 7 to establish how the details of the gifts were classified.

“The court will not pass orders to make the details of these gifts public if the court is satisfied with the explanation of why gifts of Toshakahana are not disclosed,” Justice Asim Hafeez observed.

COMMENTS (10)

Jesus Raza Washington USA | 1 year ago | Reply Judges from Hearings on cases that can further incriminate thier wrongdoings This Criminal act does not happen anywhere in the World and The Corrupt Newspapers of Pak are supporting these Crooks Retaliations against Political Opponent with Dozens of false cases is a Crime in every democracy except Pak. Look at this Clown He is Pakistani Leader helping rule a Defunct Nation Raza Sana Lullah should be Immediately be arrested for blatantly accusing the Supreme Court Judges in defence of his GOD Father Thief fugitive and Satanic demon Ruler escaped and on the run from Pakistan Here is another Bastard and a Trouble maker Only a Thief and Guilty Criminal will run away from Election and the Live drama goes on each day in Pak INDIA US are falling off their chair Laughing with these Hyena s are at each other s Throats GOD s Justice will Prevail and Allah s Lathi is Bay Awaz Govt. refusing to reveal Toshakhana Gifts details because it will Incriminate PML-N PPP PDM and many More This is called Justice of the Crooks and Looter and Satanic demons
Jesus Raza Washington USA | 1 year ago | Reply Judges from Hearings on cases that can further incriminate thier wrongdoings This Criminal act does not happen anywhere in the World and The Corrupt Newspapers of Pak are supporting these Crooks Retaliations against Political Opponent with Dozens of false cases is a Crime in every democracy except Pak. Look at this Clown He is Pakistani Leader helping rule a Defunct Nation Raza Sana Lullah should be Immediately be arrested for blatantly accusing the Supreme Court Judges in defence of his GOD Father Thief fugitive and Satanic demon Ruler escaped and on the run from Pakistan Here is another Bastard and a Trouble maker Only a Thief and Guilty Criminal will run away from Election and the Live drama goes on each day in Pak INDIA US are falling off their chair Laughing with these Hyena s are at each other s Throats GOD s Justice will Prevail and Allah s Lathi is Bay Awaz Govt. refusing to reveal Toshakhana Gifts details because it will Incriminate PML-N PPP PDM and many More This is called Justice of the Crooks and Looter and Satanic demons
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ