- Justice Asim Hafeez while hearing plea about Thoshakhana gifts has observing that nothing can be concealed from the public.
Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday ordered the Federal government to make the complete record of Thoshakhana (gift depository) from 1990 to 2001 public.
Justice Asim Hafeez of the LHC passed the orders while hearing a petition moved by Advocate Azhar Siddique.
“Nothing could be concealed from the court. The whole record must be public,” remarked Justice Asim Hafeez.
The judge also directed the law officer representing the federal government to
“It also must be informed that which country gave the gift,” Justice Hafeez directed the federal government.
A federal law officer apprised the court that they would challenge the verdict. At this, Justice Asim Hafeez remarked, “Yes, appeal is your right,”.
After hearing arguments of both sides, Justice Asim Hafeez disposed of the petition.
Asim Munir, a local citizen, had filed the petition through Advocate Azhar Siddique and submitted that the Islamabad High Court on April 20, 2022 directed the cabinet to make public all information and specifications regarding all the gifts received by former prime minister Imran Khan during his tenure.
The petitioner also sought information about all the gifts bought/withdrawn/taken away by the prime ministers and presidents of Pakistan from 1947 till date.
He also submitted that the information with respect to the market value of the gift (prevalent at that time), the assessed value of the gift and the amount paid by the receivers (presidents and prime ministers) of the gifts from 1947 till date. The petitioner contended that this exercise would ensure that the citizens had complete access to the entire record of Toshakhana which would be helpful for the process of fairness, accountability and transparency.
