ISLAMABAD: The Toshakhana Management and Regulation Bill, 2023 successfully passed in the Senate, introducing new regulations. According to the Toshakhana Regulation and Management Bill 2023, failure to deposit gifts in the Toshakhana will result in penalties, including a fine equivalent to five times the gift’s value.
The chairman of the Senate, Sadiq Sanjrani chaired the session. The bill will be applicable to both government officials and private individuals included in government delegations. Now, the president, prime minister, federal ministers, armed forces officers, and judges must also declare their gifts.
However, the law exempts employees from receiving cash gifts from Grade I to Grade IV.
The newly approved Bill mandates that individuals must submit gifts for public officials or private individuals within the specified timeframe and in compliance with the established procedure.
Upon the law’s approval, the federal government gains the authority to create rules concerning the Toshakhana.
Bill Presented In Senate Proposing A Fine 5 Times The Value Of Toshakhana Gift Over Failure To Deposit
The bill titled the “Toshakhana (Management and Regulation) Act, 2023” was presented in the Senate earlier. The bill proposes that if a Toshakhana gift is not deposited in the repository within the specified time, a fine of five times the value of the gift will be imposed.
The Cabinet Division established Toshakhana in 1974. It stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by foreign dignitaries.
According to the Toshakhana rules, individuals to whom Toshakhana rules apply must report gifts received to the Cabinet Division.
The bill applies to various public office holders, including the president, prime minister, governors, ministers, members of the armed forces, and judiciary. Similarly, the bill also encompasses their spouses and children.
The legislation states that individuals must deposit a non-perishable item as a gift in the Toshakhana. It excludes cash given as tips to officers of certain ranks.
