Islamabad: On Wednesday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) commanded the administration to make public the list of Toshakhana gifts that officials received from foreign heads of state and dignitaries between 1990 and 2001.
The high court’s orders came days after the government, in accordance with a previous court order, made public the specifics of foreign gifts received by public office holders from 2002 to 2022, including presidents, prime ministers, members of the federal cabinet, politicians, bureaucrats, retired generals, judges, and journalists. Today, while presiding over a hearing on a petition filed by Munir Ahmad through Attorney Azhar Siddique asking the government to make public the full details of Toshakhana gifts received by political leaders and bureaucrats from foreign dignitaries since 2007, Justice Asim Hafeez issued the orders.
The high court ordered the law officer representing the government to “submit in chamber” the remaining record prior to 2002, including the names of those who gave those gifts, during the previous hearing, which took place a day after the release of Toshakhana records from 2002 on. The judge stated during the hearing today that all gifts received by the nation from allies should be made public and that nothing should be kept a secret.
The government, represented by Additional Attorney General Mirza Nassar, objected to the directive requiring the disclosure of the sources of gifts. The court insisted that all information should be made public despite the objection.
“We intend to file an appeal against the direction,” Nassar informed the court. Justice Hafeez assured the additional attorney general of their right to appeal.
The judge also emphasised that no one could retain any gift without making the necessary payment.
Furthermore, the judge stated that complete transparency should be maintained, and nothing should be hidden.
Subsequently, the court disposed of the petition.
The Tosha¬khana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by heads of other governments and states and foreign dignitaries.
According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.
The plea seeking the details was filed by lawyer Munir Ahmad through Advocate Azhar Siddique in December 2022.
The plea stated: “The right to information is an integral part of a progressive democratic state and the same has been elaborated by the superior courts saying the right to information in all matters of public importance is indisputably a fundamental right guaranteed under Article(s) 19 and 19-A of the Constitution.”
According to the petitioner, the right to information stems from the requirement that members of a democratic society should be sufficiently informed that they may intelligently influence the decision which may affect them.
Therefore, he argued, the people of Pakistan had the right to know every public act, everything that is done in a public way, by public functionaries and their chosen representatives.
The petitioner contended that people at large were entitled to know details of every public transaction and acquire information in all matters of public importance.
“This enables people to contribute in debate on social and moral issues and matter of public importance.”
The plea urged the court to order the respondents to make public the details of assets gifted to rulers as well as bureaucrats and also provide the names, details, information, documentation and materials in respect of the persons/officials who have obtained the assets by making the payment.
The petitioner also sought details of the methodology used to determine the price of the Toshakhana articles.
Ministries of Parliamentary Affairs and Interior and Pakistan Information Commission were arrayed as respondents in the petition.
