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FAISALABAD, Dec 20 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhary said that Toshakhana case was a clear, straightforward and evidence-based matter, stressing that the rule of law does not change on the basis of popularity or political status as the law applies equally to all.
Talking to the media after motorcycle distribution ceremony of Livestock Department here
on Saturday, he said that social media records, court documents and publicly available evidence clearly showed that valuable gifts including necklaces worth millions of rupees were retained for personal use instead of being deposited in the Toshakhana, deliberately undervalued and obtained by misusing a state position. Such actions not only constituted a clear violation of the law but also caused serious damage to Pakistan’s international reputation, he added.
The state minister said that the gifts received from friendly countries are a national trust and their misuse brought embarrassment to Pakistan and its consequences are still felt at diplomatic levels abroad.
He said that the present government had completely reformed the Toshakhana system by introducing full transparency, under which state gifts are now publicly displayed and auctioned openly in the presence of cameras in addition to utilize the proceeds for education, health and other welfare projects. No ruler or official could now personally retain such gifts, he added.
Talal Chaudhary said that labeling a case as political does not erase a crime. If a gift was received, not deposited and deliberately mis-valued, it constituted a clear offense. The law demands greater accountability from politicians than ordinary citizens, he added.
Clarifying reports regarding children’s visas and NADRA cards, he said that Interior Ministry records clearly showed that no visa or NICOP application had been submitted to date. Once an application is filed, a visa can be issued within hours, he said, urging the people to follow legal procedures instead of playing sympathy cards.
Rejecting misinformation about jail facilities, he said that detainees are provided all legal facilities, including medical care, personal staff and meeting permissions, but unnecessary propaganda was still being spread.
He said that facilitation in the justice system existed in the past, but such practices had now ended as decisions were being made strictly on the basis of evidence and law. Anyone involved in legal violations would be held accountable regardless of power or popularity, he added.
Speaking on foreign policy, Talal Chaudhary said that Pakistan’s diplomacy was currently at its strongest level in history. In this regard, he cited strategic, diplomatic and defense partnerships with China, the United States, Europe, Arab countries and particularly Saudi Arabia as proof of growing global confidence in Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
He said that the government’s sole focus was Pakistan, its people and resolution of their problems, adding that protests, resignations or pressure tactics could not derail the course of law rather the accountability would have to be faced for actions committed.
Appreciating the performance of Livestock Department, he said that public service projects were the true essence of politics and the government would continue to move forward on this path.