New Toshakhana policy: Gifts exceeding $300 in value to become state property.

The federal cabinet has introduced a fresh policy on presents given to government functionaries by foreign dignitaries, among which include a $300 ceiling on gifts that could be retained, it emerged on Tuesday.

The new 'Toshakhana Procedure for the Acceptance and Disposal of Gifts, 2023', dated March 8, includes a fresh set of guidelines for ministries and divisions to adhere to.

The guidelines were released by the government alongside the Toshakhana records of 2002 onwards.

Established in 1974, the ToshaAkhana 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.

According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.

The department has been in the news in recent months in light of proceedings against former prime minister Imran Khan for 'not sharing details' of Toshakhana gifts.

The most significant change in the rules, according to the memo, involves gifts that exceed $300, which straight away become the state's property to be disposed of according to Toshakhana rules.

'Gift(s) valuing upto USD 300 shall be allowed to be retained by the recipient after due payments as per its assessed market value,' the memo said. 'The gift(s) exceeding this monetory (sic) limit shall straightaway become state/Toshakhana property to be deposited and disposed of according to Toshakhana Procedure.'

The exception to antiques and gifts of historical value that are to be displayed in government buildings.

The new policy clearly states that all gifts, irrespective of their price, received by government functionaries must be 'reported' and 'deposited' in Toshkhana within '30 days of receipt of the gifts' or '30 days from the date of return to Pakistan in case of foreign visit'.

It adds that 'punitive action' will be taken against the individual recipient if they do not report the receipt of gifts and deposit the Toshakhana within the time limit.

The 'chief of protocol', who is an officer of the foreign ministry, or his representative attached to visiting dignitaries or delegations will be responsible to supply the list of the gifts received and the names of their recipients.

In cases where the protocol chief and his representative are not associated, the ministry sponsoring the event will...