ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Official Toshakhana records covering the period from 2002 to 2023 indicate that former Federal Minister for Communications Maulana Asad Mahmood declared watches and other gifts received during his foreign visits, contradicting allegations circulating on social media regarding an expensive Rolex watch.
Allegations had claimed that Maulana Asad Mahmood, son of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, failed to deposit a Rolex watch worth $18,499 (approximately Rs5.1 million) into the Toshakhana after receiving it on January 18, 2023.
The allegations suggested that the former minister had retained the watch for personal benefit, resulting in a financial loss to the national exchequer.
However, according to the publicly released Toshakhana records cited in the available information, gifts and watches received by Asad Mahmood during his tenure were reported and declared to the Cabinet Division.
Under the applicable Toshakhana regulations, public office holders, including ministers and prime ministers, are required to report gifts received from foreign sources. Such gifts may be retained by following the prescribed legal procedure and paying the applicable amount or deposited into the national exchequer, in accordance with the relevant rules.
NAB and FIA Investigate Pakistan Post Recruitments
Separately, Maulana Asad Mahmood is facing scrutiny over alleged irregularities in recruitment and administrative affairs at Pakistan Post during his tenure as Federal Minister for Communications.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have reportedly expanded their investigations into allegations involving thousands of illegal appointments and financial and administrative irregularities.
Investigating agencies have issued summonses to the former minister, seeking records from his ministerial tenure and details of the recruitment process.
The Pakistan Post investigation is separate from the Toshakhana matter, and concerns alleged irregularities in government appointments and departmental administration.
Political Accountability and Transparency
The disclosure of Toshakhana records has renewed public debate about transparency in the handling of gifts received by public office holders during official foreign visits.
Meanwhile, investigations into alleged irregular appointments at Pakistan Post have brought the administrative decisions made during Maulana Asad Mahmood’s tenure under further scrutiny.
