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  • LHC orders govt to make public Toshakhana records from 1990 to 2001

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    • Published in Punjab
    Lahore High Court File Photo Lahore High Court

    Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday ordered the federal government to publicize the complete records of Toshakhana from 1990 to 2001.

    The high court directed the authorities to release all the records, saying nothing could be hidden from public view. “Also share the name of the friendly country who gifted the items,” the court ordered.

    The federal government objected to sharing the source of a gift and said it would challenge the verdict. To this, Justice Asim Hafeez said it is your right to file a challenge.

    “No one can retain the gift without making payment,” the order stated.

    The directives from the high court came on a petition of citizen Munir Hafeez who had sought complete details of the gifts received by political rulers and bureaucrats from foreign dignitaries since the creation of Pakistan.

    Earlier this month, the federal government released the Toshakhana record from 2002 onwards, exposing the political leadership of the country that benefitted from the depository.

    The government had maintained that releasing all the records may harm Pakistan's relations with friendly countries, however, the court ignored these warnings and ordered to declassify records.

    Last week, the court ordered the presentation of the Toshakhana record prior to 2002 in any format available, adding that it would pass appropriate orders after reviewing the record.