The Toshakhana, Pakistan’s repository for gifts received by government officials from foreign dignitaries, has long been mired in controversy. Over the years, it has become a symbol of power abuse, with high-ranking officials allegedly exploiting its purpose for personal gains. Among the most prominent scandals linked to the misuse of Toshakhana resources is the disbursement of luxury vehicles to political heavyweights like President Asif Ali Zardari, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and facilitated by former Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani. These incidents have cast a long shadow over Pakistan’s political landscape, bringing to light deeper issues of corruption, privilege, and the need for accountability.
On Wednesday, an accountability court in Islamabad reserved its verdict on a plea filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to refer the Toshakhana reference involving Zardari, Sharif, and Gilani back to the anti-corruption body. The court’s ruling, scheduled to be announced on October 14, is eagerly awaited as it could potentially reopen one of the most infamous corruption cases in Pakistan’s recent history.
At the heart of the case are allegations of serious misuse of power and manipulation of the Toshakhana system by these political figures. According to the NAB, President Zardari, who served as Pakistan’s head of state from 2008 to 2013, was gifted luxury cars by the governments of Libya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Instead of submitting these vehicles to the Toshakhana, which is the required protocol for any gifts received by officials in an official capacity, Zardari allegedly kept the cars for personal use. Similarly, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is accused of receiving a car from the Toshakhana in 2008 despite not holding any official government position at the time. The alleged facilitator of these actions was none other than then-Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who is accused of enabling the transactions.
The Toshakhana has long been a source of controversy in Pakistan, revealing how public officials, particularly those in the highest offices, have exploited state gifts for personal gain. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife were recipients of five priceless wristwatches, jewelry, and other valuable items. Pervez Musharraf and Shaukat Aziz similarly kept hundreds of foreign gifts without paying a penny, and in exchange, lavish gifts were often given to foreign dignitaries at the state’s expense.
Asif Ali Zardari, for instance, purchased a BMW valued at Rs 2.73 crore in 2009 but kept it after paying a fraction of the price—just Rs 40 lakh. In 2011, Zardari retained a wristwatch worth Rs 12.5 lakh, paying only Rs 189,219, along with other items. Later that year, he acquired a Cartier wristwatch and gun for Rs 3.21 lakh, though the wristwatch alone was worth Rs 10 lakh.
Similarly, Nawaz Sharif retained a Mercedes Benz worth Rs 42.5 lakh, paying just Rs 6.36 lakh. Meanwhile, Imran Khan kept watches worth crores, including a Graff watch valued at Rs 38 lakh, paying Rs 7.54 lakh in 2018.
These cases highlight how successive governments, regardless of party affiliation, have exploited the Toshakhana for personal enrichment. The scale of these abuses is a stark reminder of how deeply ingrained corruption is in the country’s political culture.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Pakistan’s anti-corruption watchdog, has been pursuing this case against Zardari, Sharif, and Gilani for several years. NAB’s reference focuses on the illegal retention of luxury vehicles by these political leaders, which they were supposed to surrender to the Toshakhana.
The recent plea filed by NAB seeks to refer the case back to the anti-corruption body, indicating that further investigations and proceedings may be necessary to bring the accused to justice. The accountability court, led by Judge Abida Sajjad, heard arguments from both sides and has reserved its decision on whether the case will be sent back to NAB or proceed in the court. The court’s decision, which will be announced on October 14, will determine the next steps in this high-profile corruption case.
If the case is referred back to NAB, it could mean prolonged investigations, delays in legal proceedings, and possibly new evidence being brought forward. If the court decides to proceed with the case as is, it could lead to a quicker resolution and possible accountability for those involved.
The Toshakhana scandal has ignited strong reactions across Pakistan’s political spectrum. Supporters of both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have rallied behind their leaders, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated.
- PPP leaders, in defense of Zardari, have consistently argued that the case is part of a wider campaign to discredit the party and its leadership. Speaking to the media, PPP spokesperson Farhatullah Babar stated, “This is nothing but a baseless, politically motivated case aimed at tarnishing the image of President Zardari. He has always followed the rules, and the allegations regarding the Toshakhana vehicles are false.”
- PML-N, on the other hand, has downplayed Nawaz Sharif’s involvement, with party leaders emphasizing that the car in question was a mere formality and not a serious offense. Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of Nawaz Sharif, said in a public rally, “My father has always served this country with integrity. These accusations are a diversion from the real issues facing Pakistan. The focus should be on the economy and the people, not on these trivial cases from the past.”
Despite these public statements, the Toshakhana scandal has undoubtedly dented the reputations of both leaders, particularly in the eyes of those calling for greater transparency and accountability in government.
Corruption, Power, and Accountability
The Toshakhana scandal underscores a larger issue in Pakistan’s political system: the rampant abuse of power and state resources by those in authority. Corruption cases involving Toshakhana have revealed how political leaders often act with impunity, using their positions to enrich themselves while ordinary citizens bear the brunt of poor governance and economic hardship.
Many political analysts believe that cases like these are a litmus test for Pakistan’s legal and judicial systems. If the courts can hold powerful individuals accountable for their actions, it would send a strong message that no one is above the law. However, if the case is dragged out or dismissed, it could further erode public trust in Pakistan’s ability to combat corruption.
As the accountability court prepares to announce its verdict on October 14, the fate of this long-running corruption case hangs in the balance. Will the court send the case back to NAB for further investigation, or will it proceed with the reference against Zardari, Sharif, and Gilani?
Whatever the outcome, the Toshakhana scandal has once again shone a spotlight on the systemic corruption that plagues Pakistan’s political elite. For many Pakistanis, the resolution of this case will be a test of the country’s commitment to justice and the rule of law. The public’s growing frustration with the elite’s abuse of power makes it clear that accountability must extend to the highest levels of government if Pakistan is to overcome its corruption problem and move toward a more equitable and transparent future.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance
