Govt's petition against PIC's order: Foreign gifts should be displayed in museum: IHC

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday said the gifts, which the dignitaries receive from foreign countries should be displayed in a museum instead of keeping their details secret.

A single bench of Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, on Thursday, heard the federal government's petition against the Pakistan Information Commission's order to give details of the gifts received by Prime Minister Imran Khan from abroad. A citizen, Rana Abrar Khalid, had sought the details of the gifts received by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

At the onset of the proceeding, Additional Attorney General Qasim Wadood, representing the federation, sought time, saying Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan himself wanted to make a submission in the case.

However, Abrar's lawyer stated that these are delaying tactics, adding; "If more time is given in the case then the petition will become ineffective."

Upon that Justice Miangul Aurangzeb said the case will not become ineffective even after the premier is gone because this issue concerns everyone, including ministers and civil servants, not just one person.

The judge said if he is awarded a shield, he would display it in the high court, instead of taking it home. He added that even the gifts that were taken home by the people should be brought back and displayed in a museum.

The additional attorney general said that the government was ready to comply, if the court issued orders in this regard. Justice Aurangzeb said nobody was stopping the government from implementing these orders and asked the AGP to file a petition in this regard.

Justice Aurangzeb said the gifts given to the United States by Pakistan were kept in a "centre" by the US government. He added that displaying such gifts in museums will make Pakistanis happy as well.

At the request of the additional attorney general, the high court directed the attorney general to provide judicial assistance and adjourned the hearing of the case till December 8th. The federation filed the petition through the Cabinet Division and cited the PIC and Rana Abrar Khalid as respondents.

The petition stated, "Information pertaining to Toshakhana has been declared "classified" with the directions of Prime Minister's office vide U.O letter dated 26-11-2015, stating therein that "the exchange of gifts between the Heads of States and Heads of Government is reflective of inter-state relations. Disclosure of such information can create media hype and result in unwarranted stories, thus potentially damaging the interest of Pakistan in the conduct of International Relations and jeopardizing inter-state relations."

It added that the impugned order of the PIC date 27 January 2021 is illegal, unwarranted and non-maintainable in the eyes of law; hence null and void ab initio. The petition further said that the said the order of the PIC is without lawful authority having been contrary to section 7 (f&g) and section 16 (1)(a) (ii) of Right of Access to Information Act, 2017. Therefore, it prayed before the court that it may set aside the said order of the PIC being unlawful and illegal.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021