In a move towards greater transparency, the Government of Pakistan has released the Toshakhana records for the first half of 2025, detailing the gifts received by public officeholders. The Toshakhana, a government department under the Cabinet Division, is responsible for collecting and storing gifts presented to Pakistani dignitaries during official visits and diplomatic engagements. This release provides insight into the nature and value of gifts received by top officials, including the Prime Minister, President, military leaders, and other senior government figures.
Key Recipients and Notable Gifts
According to the released records, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was the most frequent recipient, receiving a total of 61 gifts during the first half of 2025. These gifts included luxury wristwatches such as IWC Schaffhausen and Panerai, a traditional Malaysian dagger known as a “Keris,” and a handmade silk carpet from Azerbaijan. Additionally, he received a model of the Centaurus building from a Pakistani businessman and a model of Morocco’s traditional entry gate from the Moroccan ambassador.
President Asif Ali Zardari received 11 gifts, including a ladies’ suit and a bedsheet from the High Commissioner of Bangladesh, an electric vehicle from the President of Turkiye, and a carpet from the Iranian foreign minister. Other items included vases, candle stands, shields, a coffee set, and onyx items.
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Gifts Received by Senior Officials
The records also list gifts received by various senior officials:
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi: Received a Rolex watch from the Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia.
- Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema: Details of the gifts received are not specified.
- Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Syed Amir Raza: Received a wall hanging and a shield from the Chief of General Staff of Iran.
- Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz: Specific details of the gifts are not mentioned.
- NAB Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed: Information on the received gifts is not provided.
- Commerce Minister and Secretary Commerce: Details of the gifts received are not specified.
Nature and Valuation of Gifts
The gifts received during this period included a variety of items such as decoration pieces, watches, electric vehicles, carpets, bed sheets, prayer mats, tablecloths, coffee and tea sets, and ties. All items were deposited in the Toshakhana. The Cabinet Division has stated that the valuation process of these deposited gifts is ongoing. While the Shehbaz-led government has already made public the Toshakhana record from 2002 to December 31, 2024, earlier records from 1997 to 2001 have also been released.
