Islamabad (Pakistan Khabar): The federal government has enforced new rules regarding the management of Toshakhana and gifts, with the Cabinet Division issuing a notification of the Toshakhana Management and Regulations Rules 2026.
According to the notification, government officials other than the Prime Minister and President will be discouraged from accepting gifts, while gifts already held in Toshakhana and newly received gifts will be auctioned publicly.
The proceeds from the auctions will be spent on girls’ education in underdeveloped areas, while all gifts received by Toshakhana during each financial year will also undergo an independent audit. Gifts having cultural, historical or diplomatic sensitivity will be exempt from auction.
Under the rules, auctions must preferably be held twice a year and at least once a year. Government officials and their family members will not be allowed to participate in the auctions, while complete gift sets will not be sold separately. The auctions will also be covered live by the media.
A committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary has been established to make decisions regarding gifts. It will include additional secretaries of the Finance, Foreign Affairs, Law and Culture divisions. The committee will determine which gifts will be auctioned and which gifts have historical significance.
According to the notification, if accepting a gift is unavoidable due to diplomatic protocol, it must be deposited with Toshakhana. The gift must be deposited within 30 days of receipt, while a period of 30 days will also be allowed after returning from a foreign visit. Gifts arriving on a separate aircraft must be deposited within 60 days.
Employees in Grades 1 to 4 will be allowed to retain cash awards. Failure to deposit a gift within the prescribed period will result in a complaint being filed in court.
The value of gifts will be determined by the Federal Board of Revenue and private valuers. If there is a difference of more than 25 percent between the two valuations, the opinion of a third valuer will be considered final. Artificial intelligence may also be used to assist in determining reference prices.
The value of weapons will be determined by Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Wah, while the security of gifts will be entrusted to a Grade-20 officer. Surveillance cameras and proper locking arrangements have been made mandatory in the Toshakhana storeroom.
Records and photographs of all gifts will be published on a web portal; however, the name of the person and country presenting the gift will not be disclosed.