The Lahore Excessive Court docket (LHC) on Wednesday ordered the federal government to make public the report of Toshakhana presents obtained by public workplace holders from international governments and dignitaries between 1990 and 2001 as nicely.
The excessive courtroom’s directives got here days after the federal government, beneath a earlier order of the courtroom, had made public the main points of international presents retained by public workplace holders — presidents, prime ministers, federal cupboard members, politicians, bureaucrats, retired generals, judges and journalists from 2002 to 2022.
Justice Asim Hafeez issued the orders at present whereas presiding a listening to on a petition filed by Munir Ahmad by means of Advocate Azhar Siddique looking for the federal government to make public the whole particulars of Toshakhana presents obtained by political rulers and bureaucrats from international dignitaries because the creation of Pakistan.
Within the earlier listening to, a day after the discharge of Toshakhana data from 2002 onwards, the excessive courtroom had directed the legislation officer representing the federal government to “submit in chamber” the remaining report earlier than 2002, together with the names of those that gave these presents.
Throughout at present’s listening to, the decide stated that any presents obtained by the nation from pleasant nations also needs to be made public, including that nothing must be hidden.
Further Legal professional Common Mirza Nassar, representing the federal government, objected to the directive regarding the disclosure of sources of presents.
Regardless of the objection, the courtroom insisted that each one particulars must be disclosed to the general public.
“We intend to file an attraction towards the path,” Nassar knowledgeable the courtroom. Justice Hafeez assured the extra lawyer normal of their proper to attraction.
The decide additionally emphasised that nobody might retain any reward with out making the mandatory fee.
Moreover, the decide acknowledged that full transparency must be maintained, and nothing must be hidden.
Subsequently, the courtroom disposed of the petition.
The Toshakhana is a division beneath the executive management of the Cupboard Division and shops valuable presents given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officers by heads of different governments and states and international dignitaries.
In response to Toshakhana guidelines, presents/presents and different such supplies obtained by individuals to whom these guidelines apply shall be reported to the Cupboard Division.
The plea
The plea seeking the details was filed by lawyer Munir Ahmad through Advocate Azhar Siddique in December 2022.
The plea stated: “The right to information is an integral part of a progressive democratic state and the same has been elaborated by the superior courts saying the right to information in all matters of public importance is indisputably a fundamental right guaranteed under Article(s) 19 and 19-A of the Constitution.”
According to the petitioner, the right to information stems from the requirement that members of a democratic society should be sufficiently informed that they may intelligently influence the decision which may affect them.
Therefore, he argued, the people of Pakistan had the right to know every public act, everything that is done in a public way, by public functionaries and their chosen representatives.
The petitioner contended that people at large were entitled to know details of every public transaction and acquire information in all matters of public importance.
“This enables people to contribute in debate on social and moral issues and matter of public importance.”
The plea urged the court to order the respondents to make public the details of assets gifted to rulers as well as bureaucrats and also provide the names, details, information, documentation and materials in respect of the persons/officials who have obtained the assets by making the payment.
The petitioner also sought details of the methodology used to determine the price of the Toshakhana articles.
Ministries of Parliamentary Affairs and Interior and Pakistan Information Commission were arrayed as respondents in the petition.
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