The federal government has enacted new regulations to govern the management and oversight of Toshakhana, explicitly barring public office holders—except the prime minister and president—from accepting gifts received in their official roles. Any unavoidable gifts must be surrendered to the state repository.
These Toshakhana (Management and Regulation) Rules, 2026, issued by the Cabinet Division on September 22, took immediate effect. The guidelines also advise private individuals accompanying official delegations against accepting gifts for themselves or their families from dignitaries, companies, or individuals encountered during official engagements.
In cases where gift acceptance is unavoidable due to diplomatic protocol or cultural considerations, the gift must be handed over to Toshakhana. Every gift received by public officials or accompanying private individuals must be deposited there. However, government employees in Grades 1 to 4 may keep cash awards from diplomatic sources, provided they do not solicit or encourage such gifts, as doing so would lead to legal action.
Recipients are required to declare gifts to the Cabinet secretary via a signed letter briefly describing the items. The gift or an authorized representative must deposit the gift in Toshakhana, where a Cabinet Division officer will issue a receipt with a description and photograph. Gifts must be deposited within 30 days of receipt, or within 30 days of returning to Pakistan for foreign visit gifts. Gifts sent separately to Pakistan must be deposited within 60 days.
Failure to declare or deposit gifts within these timeframes may result in legal proceedings, though recipients will first be given an opportunity to explain their circumstances.
Small quantities of food and beverages of nominal value may be retained without declaration; however, items received for official or public use must be reported to the Cabinet Division with details on receipt and utilization. Gifts of live animals must be declared and transferred to the nearest Remount Veterinary and Farms Corps.
Commemorative written items intended for display at institutions are exempt from declaration or deposit but must remain within the institution’s premises. Similarly, personally inscribed commemorative items meant for display in the recipient’s office do not need to be deposited, provided they are not kept in private residences unless their value is nominal and declared.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and a qualified private-sector evaluator appointed through open advertisement will assess the market value of gifts. The average of both valuations will be considered the official market value. If their valuations differ by more than 25%, a third private evaluator will be involved. Gifts consisting of weapons will be valued by Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) in Wah, and their valuation will be final.
All eligible Toshakhana gifts, both existing and future, will be sold through open public auctions conducted by the Cabinet Division with committee approval. Auctions will follow the Disposal of Public Assets Regulations, 2024, or any updated rules, with reserve prices set no lower than the assessed market value. Valuations older than three months cannot be used to determine reserve prices.
The auction process will be broadcast live by the media under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Auctions are planned preferably every two years but must occur at least once per financial year. Proceeds will be deposited into a dedicated account managed by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and will fund primary education for girls in the country’s most deprived regions. Spending from this fund requires prior approval from the prime minister.
Gifts classified as antiques or possessing cultural or historical significance will be exempt from auction, as will those deemed of high value or diplomatically sensitive. These determinations will be made by the relevant committee.
The rules mandate an annual third-party audit of all gifts received and disposed of through Toshakhana. A detailed record must be maintained, including the date of receipt, recipient, depositor, assessed market value, assessment date, auction date, reserve price, and final auction price. This record must be updated promptly on the day of any new developments.
Additionally, the Cabinet Division will update its web portal monthly with information on deposited gifts, excluding the names and countries of gift donors.
These new rules supersede the 2023 procedures and aim to provide a clear framework for the receipt, declaration, and deposit of gifts by public office holders in their official capacities.
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