ISLAMABAD: On the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federal government has publicised the 21-year record of Toshakhana (depositary of the gifts received by government officials). The list has been uploaded to the official website of the Cabinet Division. According to the list following leaders have received gifts worth millions of rupees:
DR ARIF ALVI
In October 2019, the wife of President Dr Arif Alvi Samina Alvi kept a necklace worth Rs1.19 million and paid only Rs865,000. On the other hand, Dr Alvi retained a Rolex watch worth Rs2.5 million after paying less than half of its value (Rs1.2 million).
IMRAN KHAN
In September 2018, former prime minister Imran Khan decided to take the following items for Rs20 million:
Graff wristwatch – Rs85 million
Pair of cufflinks – Rs5.6 million
Pen – Rs1.5 million
Ring – Rs8.75 million
Khan also had a love for Rolex wristwatches. The list stated the details of watches he retained during 2018 and 2020:
Rolex watch – Rs3.8 million (paid only Rs754,000)
Rolex watch – Rs1.5 million (paid Rs294,000)
Rolex watch – Rs900,000 (paid Rs338,600)
Rolex watch – Rs1.9 million (paid Rs935,000)
Rolex watch – Rs4.4 million (paid Rs2.4 million)
In September 2022, Imran’s wife, Bushra Bibi, paid Rs9 million and kept:
Necklace of Rs10 million
Bracelet of Rs2.4 million
Ring of Rs2.8 million
Pair of earrings for Rs1.85 million
SHAHID KHAQAN ABBASI
Leader of PML-N and former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi decided to take possession of these items in 2017 after paying Rs4.5 million:
Hublot wristwatch – Rs15 million
Pair of cufflinks – Rs1.2 million
Pen – Rs1.5 million
Ring – Rs3 million
Other than that, Abbasi took a Rolex watch box set In November 2017, valued at Rs23 million, and paid only Rs4.59 million. He kept a Rs25 million Rolex wristwatch after paying Rs5.27 million in April 2018.
His wife Sameena Shahid retained a jewellery set after paying Rs19.99 million, which was originally worth Rs99 million.
NAWAZ SHARIF
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif also had an extensive list of expensive items that he retained:
April 2008: Mercedes Benz valued at Rs4.2 million after paying Rs636,888.
November 2013: Rolex wristwatch of Rs1.18 million after paying Rs243,000.
January 2015: Piaget wristwatch of Rs1 million after paying Rs240,000.
January 2016: Christopher Claret (Rs2 million), a ring (Rs19.5 million) and a pair of cufflinks (Rs16 million) after paying Rs7.6 million.
February 2016: Dela Cour watch (Rs3.2 million), a ring (Rs8 million) and a pair of cufflinks (Rs5 million) after paying Rs3.2 million.
October 2016: Two Rolex watches worth Rs1.2 million and Rs850,000, respectively, after paying Rs469,000.
March 2017: Diamond necklace of Rs1 million after paying Rs207,560.
May 2017: Rolex watch worth Rs4 million and paid only Rs808,000.
Hussain Nawaz paid Rs186,000 and retained a Rolex watch worth Rs940,000. Nawaz Sharif’s wife, Kulsoom Nawaz, paid Rs10.8 million and kept a bracelet worth Rs12.7 million, a necklace and earring valued at Rs41.6 million.
RAJA PERVAIZ ASHRAF
In his brief tenure as prime minister, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf retained a Graff wristwatch of Rs890,000 after paying Rs218,000.
YOUSUF RAZA GILANI
Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was ousted as the prime minister by the supreme court, was also on the list as his wife, Fauzia Gilani, retained Rs2 million jewellery set in exchange for Rs326,043.
ASIF ALI ZARDARI
Allegedly one of the most corrupt politicians Asif Ali Zardari also has a long trail of retaining gifts:
December 2, 2008: Retained a watch worth Rs500,000
January 26, 2009: Kept BMW car and Toyota Lexus after paying Rs16.1 million.
March 2011: Watch worth Rs1 million after paying Rs158,250.
June 2011: A Corum wristwatch of Rs1.25 million after paying Rs189,219.
October 2011: Cartier watch worth Rs1 million after paying Rs321,000.
ZAFARULLAH JAMALI
Former premier Zafarullah Jamali retained a model of the Holy Kaaba.
SHAUKAT AZIZ
Former PM Shaukat Aziz also had his fair share of retaining gifts:
The year 2005: Watch worth Rs850,000 and paid Rs355,000.
June 2, 2006: Watch worth Rs1.35 million.
January 7, 2007: Gifts valued at Rs1.8 million.
September 27, 2007: Watch worth Rs1.35 million.
February 24, 2010: Watch worth Rs1.2 million but later returned.
GEN (R) PERVEZ MUSHARRAF
Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf received gifts of more than Rs6.5 million in 2004. In 2005, he received a watch of Rs500,000. Musharaf retained dozens of valuable watches, jewellery boxes, and other gifts.
In 2003, his wife, Sehba Musharraf, received a jewellery box valued Rs2.6 million. In 2006, she also got gifts worth over Rs1.65 million and in the following year Rs13.4 million. Musharraf received gifts of Rs1.4 million on January 31, 2007.