ISLAMABAD: The federal government has made public details of gifts received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and other government officials between July and September, with the prime minister depositing more than three dozen gifts in the Toshakhana, according to the Cabinet Division.
The disclosed records show that the gifts received by Shehbaz Sharif included a box containing 1,000 grammes of fine gold presented to him during his official visit to Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 2.
The gold, identified in the records as a Kyrgyzaltyn gift, was deposited in the Toshakhana on September 8. The Cabinet Division said all gifts received by the prime minister during foreign visits had been deposited in the state repository, while their valuations were still being determined.
The list of gifts included handmade silk and wool carpets, shields, plates, cufflinks, calligraphy, a model of Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH), a souvenir, a painting of SKY47, wall hangings, decorative glassware from Belarus, a wooden plate, a model of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and a ceramic vase.
Other items included scarves, olive oil, small soaps, traditional oud perfume, a model car, a large Kyrgyz-style blanket, a ceremonial vase, books, a crystal shield, a bronze vase, a handkerchief, Islamic prayer beads, six cups with saucers and a table clock.
President Asif Ali Zardari received seven gifts during the period, comprising two carpets, an archery set, a musical instrument, a framed depiction of Faisal Mosque, a chess set and a decorative item.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, other cabinet members and senior government officials also received gifts that were deposited in the Toshakhana, the records showed.
The disclosure comes after the federal government introduced stricter regulations for the management of official gifts through the Toshakhana (Management and Regulation) Rules, 2026, notified in September.
Under the new rules, all existing and future gifts held in the Toshakhana are to be disposed of through open auction conducted by the Cabinet Division, subject to approval by a committee headed by the Federal Secretary of the Cabinet Division. The committee may seek expert advice when necessary.
The rules require public office-holders and private individuals accompanying official delegations to declare and deposit gifts in the Toshakhana in accordance with Section 3 of the relevant Act.
Gifts must be deposited within 30 days of receipt or within 30 days of the recipient’s return to Pakistan following a foreign visit. Where a gift must be shipped separately to Pakistan, the deadline is extended to 60 days.
The regulations also discourage public office-holders, other than the head of state and head of government, as well as private members of official delegations, from accepting gifts for themselves or their families from local or foreign dignitaries, individuals or companies they engage with in an official capacity.
However, where refusing a gift could violate diplomatic protocol, cultural sensitivities or offend the giver, the recipient is required to deposit it in the Toshakhana under the prescribed procedure.
According to the rules, proceeds generated through the auctions will be deposited into a separate account and used to promote primary education for girls in the country’s most underdeveloped areas.
