ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to introduce new rules and regulations governing the Toshakhana, with the final approval of the proposed framework to be obtained from the federal cabinet, sources said.
According to sources, the rules have been drafted in accordance with the Toshakhana Management and Regulation Act, 2024, under which the federal government has been empowered to formulate rules and regulations for the management of the state gift repository.
The Toshakhana Management and Regulation Act, 2024 applies to all public office holders as well as private members of official delegations. All public officials receiving salaries, allowances or other benefits from the state exchequer are bound by the provisions of Toshakhana law. Under the proposed rules, public office holders will not be allowed to retain gifts received in their official capacity. Every gift received by a public office holder will have to be deposited with Toshakhana within 30 days of its receipt.
Strict penalties have been proposed for failure to deposit gifts within the stipulated period. A violation could attract a fine of up to five times the market value of the gift. In the case of a government employee, violation of the Toshakhana rules will not only result in a fine but may also lead to departmental disciplinary action.
The proposed rules also provide that all gifts currently deposited with Toshakhana, as well as those received in the future, will be sold through open auction. According to the proposed mechanism, proceeds generated from the auction of gifts will be spent on the primary education of girls in underdeveloped areas of the country. The rules have also laid down detailed procedures for depositing of gifts and their subsequent auction.
Sources said the new rules and regulations would be formally enforced through a notification in the official Gazette after receiving final approval from the federal cabinet.
