Toshakhana head given last chance to submit affidavit

LHC warns of contempt proceedings if details not submitted by Feb 21

ISLAMABAD:

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday gave last opportunity to the Toshakhana head for submitting his affidavit as well as a comprehensive report containing details about who had obtained gifts.

However, Justice Asim Hafeez warned the concerned quarters that contempt proceedings would be initiated if the affidavit of the concerned officer was not submitted before court by Feb 21.

Justice Hafeez was hearing a plea seeking direction to concerned quarters to provide details of dignitaries, bureaucrats and officials who had obtained gifts from Toshakhana since 1947.

As the proceedings commenced, Justice Hafeez asked where that officer who had been summoned along with his affidavit was. Another officer representing Toshakhana parried the court’s query which irked the judge who observed why not initiate contempt proceeding against the concerned officer.

The section officer told the court that they were mulling to make public the information of Toshakhana gifts.

“The court has nothing to do with it,” Justice Hafeez remarked.

“The court had sought details of Toshakhana gifts along with the affidavit of the concerned officer.”

Petitioner’s counsel Advocate Azhar Siddique argued that it was mala fide on the part of the concerned department whose officers seemed reluctant to comply with the court orders.

On a point, Justice Hafeez expressing his displeasure gave the last opportunity to the department head for submitting details and the affidavit by next date.

Previous proceedings

“The court will not pass the order to make the details of these gifts public if it is satisfied that they should be kept a secret,” Justice Hafeez observed.

Addressing the representatives who appeared on behalf of the respondent, Justice Hafeez asked, “Is that the only reason to keep these details secret that you mentioned in your reply submitted before the court that the media creates hype if Toshakhan gifts are made public.

“How the country’s security and international relations will affect with making public the details if the department’s version is accepted.”