SOHAIL IQBAL BHATTI
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Secretary Cabinet division to verify the presented evaluation figures of the four expensive gifts received by the former Prime Minister Imran Khan from the official record and present a detailed report in this regard.
According to sources, federal cabinet has taken note of a presentation given by the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Interior & Legal Affairs on gifts received/retained by the former premier Imran Khan and directed that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) shall be asked to investigate reported malpractice relating to non-declaration and defective evaluation (under valuation) and same assessment by federal board of revenue (FBR) and private appraiser of gifts by foreign dignitaries during the period of the ex-Pm Imran Khan. The cabinet also directed the cabinet division to also look into the issues of irregularities in the matter and report to the cabinet. The cabinet also directed the cabinet division to look into the issues of irregularities in the matter. Similarly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Secretary Cabinet division to verify the presented evaluation figures of the four expensive gifts received by the former Prime Minister Imran Khan from the official record and present a detailed report in this regard, said sources.
As per details, The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Interior & Legal Affairs gave a presentation to the cabinet on alleged Toshakhana irregularities by the former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Following issues with regard to gifts were highlighted:
Bvlgari
HRH Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman of KSA presented one neckless, one pair of earrings, one ring to the ex-PM Imran Khan and the former first lady on 10-05-2021. The estimated value of these gifts was US$ 5 million (Rs 1.13 billion) while the assessed value of these gifts by the then government was Rs 5,859,000 and the amount deposited to government treasury on 8th July 2021 was Rs 2,914,500 (50percent of the assessed value).
Graff to First Lady
HRH Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman of KSA presented Graff jewelry set containing one neckless and one pair of earrings, one bracelet, and one ring to the ex-PM Imran Khan and the former first lady on 24-09-202. The estimated value of these gifts was US$ 15 million (Rs 3.338 billion) while the assessed value of these gifts by the then government was Rs 18,092,000 and the amount deposited to government treasury on 26th October 2022 was Rs9,031,000 (50percent of the assessed value).
On the same trip HRH Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman of KSA also presented ex-PM Imran Khan another set containing one Rolex, one pair of cufflinks, one ring and unstitched suit cloth. The estimated value of these gifts to be ascertained while the assessed value of these gifts by the then government was Rs 4,900,000 and the amount deposited to government treasury on 26th October 2022 was Rs 2,435,000 (50percent of the assessed value).
Trifoglio
H.E. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al Thani Emir of Qatar had presented Trifoglio jewelry set containing one locket with chain, one pair of ear tops, two bracelets, two rings to the ex-PM Imran Khan and the former first lady on 23-06-2019. The estimated value of these gifts was US$ 2 million (Rs 450 million) while the assessed value of these gifts by the then government was Rs 1,119,400 and the amount deposited to government treasury on 8th August, 2019 was Rs 544,700 (50percent of the assessed value).
GRAFF 2.0
HRH Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman of KSA presented Graff set containing one watch with Mecca dial, one pair of cufflinks, one pen (1,466 diamonds) and one ring on 19-09-2018. The estimated value of these gifts was US$ 6 million (Rs1,320million) while the assessed value of these gifts by the then government was Rs 101,420,000 and the amount deposited to government treasury on 8th August, 2019 was Rs 20,178,00 (20percent of the assessed value).
Sold to Umer Farooq US$ 2 million (Rs 440 million)
GM 2751 diamond cufflinks with 2.12 cts H1F and 2.11 cts 11F round
GR 46899 pink gold white round diamond gents ring with white pave band: one round diamond weighting 7.20 cts; diamonds weighting 0.92 cts; total weight 7.20 cts; diamond weighting 0.92 cts; total weight: 8.12 cts
Rose Gold Pen set with pave diamonds and enamel Mecca map 1,466 round diamonds weighting 12.2 cts
Diamond Master Graff Tourbillon Minute Repeater with Mecca Map Dial
These KSA special edition collection items are presented in possession of one Umar Farooq Zahoor
Facts as revealed by him are as under:
He was introduced to Ms. Farhat Shahzadi @ Gogi by Shahzad Akbar. She brought these items to Umar Farooq. He after satisfying himself about their worth, bought these items from her.
Total amount embezzlement through dishonest and unfair means:
Graff set: Rs 3.38 million
Mecca watch set: Rs 1.32 billion
Bvlgari set: Rs 1.13 billion
Trifoglio set: Rs 450 million
Rolex set: TBA (To Be Assessed)
Total paid: Rs 32.7 million
Grand Total Embezzled: Rs 5.95 billion
Assessed value of Toshakhana Gifts
Assessment of value of valuable and rare gifts received was done by a local trader situated at 6th Road Rawalpindi
A handwritten valuation report without any technical specifications or details was provided by the said trader and is part of the record.
Initial inquiry reveals that all gifts received by the former Prime Minister Imran Khan were undervalued for financial gains.
Some of the gifts were not even deposited in Toshakhana and the value was determined by calling the local trader to PM House.
13 Visit-13 Cases of Mis-declaration/non-declaration
An analysis of Toshakhana record of gifts received during 13 visits indicates some very conspicuous discrepancies like:
- During five visits (three KSA; two UAE) no gift was presented to any visitor including the PM or the first lady. This is against the hospitality and protocol norms generally extended by these hosts.
- On some occasions, personal staff of the then PM like MS, PSO, ADC, CSO and even gunmen received gifts having value higher than those received by the PM.
- During two visits, the PM was presented gifts, but first lady was not which too seems contrary to norms.
- There are occasions when the then PM was presented gifts with as low as a value as Rs 80,000/ or even Rs 29,700/, which is not commensurate with the stature either the guests or the host.
- Former PM Imran Khan sold precious gifts resented to him by brotherly Kingdom. Gross mis-declarations and violations of rules/procedures have been noticed for other gifts as well. It is quite an embarrassment for the entire nation at the international level that how a person holding the highest office can resort to such actions and make such wrong declarations.
Gifts not Declared/Misdeclared
19-09-2018: The ex-Pm visited KSA along with senior ministerial delegation and staff. However, no gift was received/declared by any visiting officials including PM.
18-11-2018:
The ex-PM visited UAE and received a gift (glass model of mosque) with assessed value of Rs 80,000. However, no gift was received/declared by other ministers and staff. Further, value (Rs 80,000) of the gift given to PM also does not seem in accordance with the status of head of a government. This is the only gift that ex-PM received/declared on three visits to UAE.
21-01-2019:
The ex-PM visited Qatar and received a gift (Table Colck) with assessed value of Rs 500,000 while other recipients of the gifts include Foreign Minister, Minister Finance, Minister Petroleum, Advisor on Commerce and SAPM valued at Rs 600,000 and other staff at lower values. Foreign Secretary (Rs 1,350,000)-value of gift received by PM is less than that of Foreign Minister, Ministers, SAPM, Advisors and much less than Foreign Secretary. Chief of State Protocol (Rs 2,000,000)- intriguingly, chief of state protocol received the costliest gift amongst the entourage.
10-02-2019
The ex-PM visited UAE along with senior ministers and staff and no gift was received /declared by any visiting dignitary or official.
30-05-2019
The ex-PM visited KSA and received a gift (containing perfumery and tasbeeh) with assessed value of Rs 510,000. Other recipients of the gifts include Foreign Minister (Rs 35,000), Foreign Secretary (Rs956,000) and others. However, no gift was received/declared by first lady, Minister of Communication, SAPM, Minister of Tourism KP, Chief of Protocol, PSO to PM, CSO to PM, ADC to PM and others.
Value of gift (Rs 956,000) received by Foreign Secretary is more than that of FM and even PM.
15-10-2019
The ex-PM visited KSA along with senior ministers and staff. However, no gift was received/declared by any visiting officials including PM.
14-12-2019
The ex-PM visited KSA along with senior ministers and staff. However, no gift was received/declared by any visiting officials including PM.
27-02-2020
The ex-PM visited Qatar and received a gift (Hilser Table Clock) with assessed value of Rs 325,000. Other recipients include FM (Rs 750,000), SAPM (Rs 830,000), SAPM (Rs830,000), MS to PM (Rs 625,000), PSO to PM (Rs 625,000), CSO to PM (Rs 387,500), ADC to PM (Rs 625,000) and Police Gunman (Rs 387,500).
Value of gifts received by FM, SAPMs, MS to PM, PS to PM, CSO to PM, ADC to PM and even gunman is more than that of PM.
07-05-2021
The ex-PM visited KSA and received a gift (containing perfumery, food items and books) with assessed value of Rs 296,500.
Other recipients of gifts include first lady (worth Rs 5,859,000), FM, FS and MS. However, no gift was received/ declared by other dignitaries. Value of the gift received by first lady is higher than the one received by the PM.
23-10-2021
The PM visited KSA and received a gift (containing perfumery, books and food products) with assessed value of Rs 416,000. The gift was retained by the former PM against the retention value of Rs 193,000. Other members of the entourage including first lady, FM, Chairman Senate, SAPMs, Foreign Secretary and other staff intriguingly received no gift.
During discussion, one being asked by the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Secretary explained the Toshakhana procedure for evaluation and retention of gifts given to government officials by foreign dignitaries in light of the approved Toshakhana Procedure, 2018. He informed that the business related to Toshakhana was transferred from MoFA to the Cabinet Division in 1973. The retention cost as per Toshakhana Procedure, 1973, had been amended from time to time: in 1978, it was 25percent of the value exceeding Rs 5,000; in 2000, 25pc of the value exceeding Rs 10,000; in 2007, 15% of the value exceeding Rs 10,000; in 2011, 20% of the value exceeding Rs 10,000, in 2017, 20% of the value exceeding Rs 30,000; and in 2018, 50% of the value exceeding Rs 30,000 which is currently in vogue. He further clarified that the evaluation and prices was the sole responsibility of FBr and private appraiser as per para 5(1) of the Toshakhana Procedure, 1973, which was being followed.
The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted that as per the directions received from the Prime Minister’s Office on 26-11-2015 to maintain confidentiality of information relating to Toshakhana gifts, which stated that the disclosure may jeopardize Pakistan’s interest and foreign relations, the Cabinet Division had declined multiple requests from private citizens seeking the information under RTI Act, 2017, due to which multiple litigations at judicial for a are underway. He added that the Prime Minister, being Minister Incharge, is empowered to classify any information under section 7(f) & section 16 (1) (a-ii) of RTI Act, 2017.
