The Lahore High Court has directed the federal government to submit the remaining record of Toshakhana gifts before 2002, including the names of those who gave those gifts. This order came a day after the Cabinet Division released details of the Toshakhana gifts for the past 21 years. Justice Asim Hafeez observed that an appropriate order would be passed after going through the record. The court had summoned minutes of the federal cabinet meeting that had decided to publicize the record of the Toshakhana articles since 2002.
The court was hearing a petition seeking complete details of the gifts received by political rulers and bureaucrats from foreign dignitaries since the creation of Pakistan. The petitioner’s counsel, Azhar Siddique, contended that the record released by the government “might have been altered.” The court would resume the hearing on March 21.
The Prime Minister’s Office had declared that information pertaining to the Toshakhana gifts was classified and disclosure of such information could “cause unnecessary media hype, which could be potentially damaging to the interests of Pakistan in the conduct of international relations.” However, the petitioner argued that the right to information is an integral part of a progressive democratic state and the public at large is entitled to know details of every public transaction and acquire information in all matters of public importance. The petitioner asked the court to allow the petition and order the respondents to make public details of the 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.