Lahore (Staff Report/Agencies): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday ordered the federal government to submit details of Toshakhana gifts received by political rulers and bureaucrats from foreign dignitaries since the creation of Pakistan.
While hearing a plea seeking court orders for making public the details of Toshkhana gifts as well as information about persons/officials who have obtained the assets after making a payment, LHC judge Justice Asim Hafeez directed the federal government to submit the details by January 16 and also sought records pertaining to the purchase of these assets since 1947.
“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,” stated the plea filed by lawyer Munir Ahmad through Advocate Azhar Siddique.
Established in 1974, the Toshakhana 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.
