ISLAMABAD: New Toshakhana rules introduced by the federal government discourage public office holders, other than the president and prime minister, from accepting gifts from local or foreign dignitaries, while introducing stricter procedures for declaring, depositing and disposing of official gifts.
The Cabinet Division has issued the Toshakhana (Management and Regulation) Rules, 2026, which also discourage private individuals accompanying official delegations from accepting gifts for themselves or their families from people, companies or dignitaries they meet in connection with official business.
New Toshakhana Rules Set Deadline for Gift Deposits
Under the new Toshakhana rules, gifts that cannot be refused due to diplomatic norms or cultural sensitivities must be deposited with Toshakhana. Officials are required to declare and deposit such gifts within 30 days of receiving them.
For foreign visits, the deadline begins from the recipient’s return to Pakistan, while gifts shipped separately to the country may be deposited within 60 days.
Employees in BS-1 to BS-4 may retain cash awards from visiting dignitaries when refusing them could cause offence.
The rules provide that existing and future Toshakhana gifts will generally be disposed of through open auction, subject to approval by the relevant committee. The Cabinet Division will conduct the auctions, with live media coverage to be arranged by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Auctions will preferably be held every two years and at least once during each financial year. Public office holders and their families will be barred from participating.
Antiques and gifts with cultural or historical significance will not be auctioned. Precious gifts and items with diplomatic or international sensitivity, including gifts received from foreign heads of state and government, will also be excluded.
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Auction proceeds will be placed in a separate account and used to promote primary education for girls in the country’s most backward areas. The relevant federal education ministry will manage the account, with funds required to be disbursed within six months of deposit after approval from the prime minister.
The new Toshakhana rules also allow advanced generative AI assistants approved by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to be used as a reference for assessing gift values.
For security and record management, a Cabinet Division officer of at least BS-20 will be responsible for Toshakhana records. The storeroom will also be required to have physical locking systems and CCTV coverage.
