LHC requests an explanation for the prolonged delay in the publication of the Toshakhana record.
The court orders the relevant authorities to submit their explanations by January 19th.
LAHORE: On Monday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the involved parties to give a justification by January 19 for the delay in disclosing the specifics of Toshakhana gifts received since 1947.
A petition asking for guidance to the relevant authorities to release all information about the gift repository, including that of dignitaries, bureaucrats, and other officials, was heard by Justice Asim Hafeez.
Section Officer Nida Rehman spoke before the court throughout the hearings, claiming that a committee had been formed to determine which facts may be released.
But Justice Hafeez questioned why the specifics were being kept secret when everything else was made public. He added that explanations must be given if Toshakhana’s details are unavailable.
The federal government’s legal representative had previously pleaded with the court that the specifics of Toshakhana’s gifts were confidential and could not be disclosed.
However, Justice Hafeez had noted that when someone purchased a gift from Toshakhana, they had to report it on their tax filings. Given that specifics are disclosed in tax forms, it is therefore impossible to keep it a secret.
The judge had instructed the federal government’s attorney to present information to the court by today, January 16, and stated that the court would determine whether or not the information was secret.
Azhar Siddique, the petitioner’s attorney, had pleaded with the court to ignore the lack of information regarding the recipients of the presents from the Toshakhana, the method used to assess the value of the gifts, and the amount of money placed into the national coffers. Additionally, he asked the court to order the relevant parties to release all information regarding the presents.
The request
Through a seasoned attorney named Azhar Siddique, Munir Ahmed submitted the petition.
In the petition, attorney Azhar Siddique pleaded with the Islamabad High Court to order the cabinet to reveal all details and specifications on any gifts that former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan received while in office. This request was made by Advocate Azhar Siddique.
The petitioner then requested details regarding all gifts purchased, returned, or taken away by Pakistan’s presidents and prime ministers since 1947. Additionally, the petitioner had asked for details on the gift’s assessed worth, market value (current at the time), and the amount paid by the recipients (presidents and prime ministers).
He said that the approach will guarantee that the public had full access to all of Toshakhana’s records, promoting fairness, accountability, and openness.
The petition had argued that by making access to information a justiciable right of the people rather than a gratuity awarded by the State at its discretion, Article 19 (A) of the Constitution had given the inhabitants of Pakistan more power.
The petitioner had emphasised that all information that might be of any public value must be made available to the broader public.
He pleaded that although the Cabinet Division has so far disclosed information about Toshakhana Gifts received under the premiership of Imran Khan, it has never done the same for former prime ministers Mian Nawaz Sharif, Yousaf Raza Gillani, and Asif Ali Zardari (ex-President of Pakistan), which is purely malicious.
In the appeal, attorney Azhar Siddique pleaded that the president, prime minister, secretary of the Cabinet Division, ministry of parliamentary affairs, interior division, and chairman PIC had all received letters requesting information and compliance with the court’s ruling but in vain.
