Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has witnessed several controversies surrounding the gifts received from foreign dignitaries, commonly referred to as the Toshakhana.
Last year, former prime minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in relation to a Toshakhana reference case. In response, the federal government has drafted new regulations regarding Toshakhana, which include a proposal to prohibit heads of state or government officials from accepting gifts during foreign trips. These new rules, once approved by the federal cabinet, will require Pakistani diplomats abroad to ensure the implementation of this policy in the countries where they are stationed.
During a briefing to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, Secretary of the Cabinet, Kamran Ali Afzal, explained that under the current rules, gifts are accepted during foreign trips.
However, a comprehensive new policy is being formulated, which suggests that officials should not accept gifts during these trips. Afzal added that countries around the world have varying policies on Toshakhana.
“In Middle Eastern countries, the law governing Toshakhana is liberal, whereas in the US and the UK, there are limits on the value of gifts that can be accepted,” he said.
Earlier, The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted bail to PTI Founder Imran Khan in Toshakhana 2 case.
Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb granted bail to Imran Khan. Defence lawyer Salman Safdar said that the statement read out was recorded by the NAB investigation officer, adding that now the matter had gone to the FIA.
The FIA prosecutor said statements under Section 164 are recorded before a magistrate. Justice Aurangzeb said that after the law changed, the case went from the NAB to FIA. “What action was taken against the three Customs officers who calculated the wrong price?” asked the court. The FIA prosecutor said Customs officers committed negligence, but it did not constitute criminal misconduct. “The NAB did not recommend any departmental action against those officers,” he added.
“Let’s just say that they are very good people,” Justice Aurangzeb remarked, eliciting laughter in the courtroom.
The court directed Imran Khan to submit bonds of Rs1 million each and also appear in trial court after being released on bail. “If the accused does not cooperate with the court during trial, the bail order may be withdrawn,” the court declared. However, there’s still an obstacle in the release of the PTI founder from Adiala Jail, as his bail bonds in five cases of May 9 have not been submitted. Imran Khan’s bail bonds in seven other cases of May 9 had been submitted previously.
Earlier, the court resumed hearing on the bail application of PTI’s founder in the Toshakhana-2 case, with Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb presiding over the proceedings.
FIA Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi and Barrister Salman Safdar, the defense lawyer, presented their arguments during the hearing. Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb instructed the FIA prosecutor to refrain from media commentary, stating, “Leave the media alone and exempt yourself from them.” The remark came after the prosecutor claimed that media outlets had already reported that the bail would be granted.
