A thousand grams of fine gold rests inside a newly public ledger, part of a sweeping disclosure of state gifts that offers an unprecedented glimpse into the items received by Pakistan's leadership. According to information released by the Cabinet Division and reported by Geo News, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif deposited more than three dozen gifts into the Toshakhana between July and September.

Among the items submitted to the state depository was a box containing 1,000 grams of fine gold, received by the prime minister during his official visit to Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 2, as reported by Geo News and The News. The extensive inventory from that visit also includes a handmade silk carpet, a shield, a plate, a tie, cufflinks, calligraphy, a model of Roza-e-Rasool (ﷺ), wool and silk carpets, a handmade stone souvenir, a painting, wall hangings, a Belarusian glass decoration, a wooden plate, a model of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, a ceramic vase, scarves, olive oil, small soaps, Oud perfume, a car model, a large Kyrgyz-style blanket, a ceremonial vase, books, a large crystal shield, a bronze vase, a handkerchief, Islamic prayer beads, cups with saucers, and a table clock.

Other high-ranking figures also contributed items to the repository during the same period. According to Geo News, President Asif Ali Zardari received seven gifts, consisting of two carpets, an archery set, a musical instrument, a Faisal Mosque frame, a chess set, and a decoration piece. Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and cabinet members including Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, along with other senior officials, deposited gifts received during this timeframe.

Background

The public release of these records follows recent regulatory changes governing state gifts. According to Geo News, the federal government notified the Toshakhana (Management and Regulation) Rules, 2026, in September. Under these rules, all current and future gifts received in the Toshakhana are to be disposed of through an open auction conducted by the Cabinet Division, requiring the approval of a committee headed by the Federal Secretary of the Cabinet Division. The rules mandate that any gift received by a public office-holder or a private individual part of an official delegation must be declared and deposited within 30 days of receipt, within 30 days of returning from a foreign visit, or within 60 days if the item is shipped separately.

Why it matters

The disclosure and tightening of Toshakhana regulations bear direct implications for transparency and governance in public office. By formalising rules around the declaration, valuation, and open auction of gifts received during official duties, the framework establishes standardized procedures for handling state assets presented to public officials.