Govt takes back appeal in gifts case

The federal government on Tuesday withdrew its appeal in the Supreme Court against the high court’s order in the case pertaining to the auction of the Toshakhana gifts.

The deputy attorney general (DAG) told a two-member bench led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan and including Justice Athar Minallah, that the appeal was being withdrawn in light of the new rules.

However, Justice Minullah told the DAG if he spoke about the rules, then question would be raised under which law those rules were made. The DAG replied that a new law regarding Toshakhana gifts was with the president for approval.

Justice Ahsan said that even if the new law was enacted, the decision of the high court would remain in place. Justice Minallah also said that the decision of Lahore High Court (LHC) was correct and in accordance with the law and the Constitution.

The LHC had declared that Toshakhana gifts were public property and anyone could participate in the auction of those gifts. The court had made it clear that gifts were public property, therefore, its auction could not be restricted to certain people.