Toshakhana record reveals names of bigwigs among gift recipients

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Division has released the Toshakhana record for the period from March 2023 to December 31, 2024. During this time, several prominent figures, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, had received gifts.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, many dignitaries received gifts between March 2023 and December 2024, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, former caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, former president Arif Alvi, and former chief justice Qazi Faez Isa. The other recipients included Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Minister of Law Azam Nazeer Tarar, and federal ministers Musaddiq Malik, Rana Sanaullah, Ata Tarar, Shazain Bugti, and Jam Kamal.

The notification also named PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Aseefa Bhutto, Senator Talha Mahmood, Tariq Fatemi, Yusuf Raza Gilani, and FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial as gift recipients. Additionally, Vice Admiral Abdul Samad, President Zardari’s Military Secretary Brigadier Shahryar Munir Hafeez, Prime Minister’s Military Secretary Major General Tajdid Mumtaz, Chief Security Officer to Prime Minister Muhammad Imran, and former Foreign Secretary Amina Baloch were among the recipients.

Former caretaker ministers, including finance minister Shamshad Akhtar, foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, IT minister Dr. Umar Saif, commerce minister Gohar Ejaz, and energy minister Muhammad Ali were also listed as beneficiaries. The Shehbaz government had introduced a new policy under which gifts valued at $300 or less could be retained by the recipient, while all others had to be deposited with Toshakhana.

According to records since 1997, individuals such as Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Gohar Ayub Khan, Pervez Musharraf, Rafique Tarar, Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Sheikh Rashid, Tahmina Daultana, and Saeed Mehdi were among those who received gifts.

In 1998, as prime minister, Nawaz Sharif had received gifts worth Rs1.721 million and retained them after paying Rs259,121. These included a gold and diamond jewellery set and a luxury watch. As Punjab chief minister, Shehbaz Sharif had received gifts worth Rs1.315 million and retained them after paying Rs198,544. His gifts included a gold watch and men’s and women’s wristwatches.

Pervez Musharraf, as chief executive, had retained a television set and a decorative bowl for free while making payments for a dragon figurine, a watch, and a Kehwa pot. Then-president Rafique Tarar and then-foreign minister Abdus Sattar had retained multiple gifts, either for free or after making payments. Khawaja Asif had kept a luxury watch, while the then Ehtesab Bureau chairman had retained a table clock after payment.

Lt. Gen. (retd.) Iftikhar Ali Khan had paid to retain a table clock, while Syeda Abida Hussain had purchased a jewellery box. Several former foreign secretaries had also paid to retain gifts received on official occasions.

Since the adoption of the new Toshakhana policy in 2023, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have deposited all gifts received with the Toshakhana. Shehbaz Sharif had paid $30 each to retain a candy box and a painting. Former president Dr Arif Alvi had also deposited most of his gifts with the Toshakhana but retained a briefcase after making payment. Former caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar had similarly deposited most of his gifts. Since March 2023, most recipients of Toshakhana gifts have complied with the new policy by depositing gifts with the Toshakhana.