Setting a unique tradition, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided not to retain any of the gift items presented to him during his visit to Saudi Arabia and UAE in April this year.
According to Prime Minister Office, the premier also desires to make changes in the policy towards official gifts, saying that all precious gifts should be permanently displayed at the PM House in secure display cabinets with an alarm system under the responsibility of the Cabinet Division or Toshakhana (treasury).
In the first phase, five such cabinets, dedicated to each country namely Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey and China, will be prepared and all gift items from Saudi Arabia and UAE to be displayed at the PM House in secure cabinets.
The premier during his visits to Saudi Arabia and UAE received two precious wristwatches studded with diamonds, a pair of cufflinks, a pen, a ring, and a rosary.
The value of the gifts deposited in Toshakhana, which he received during his visits to the Gulf countries, is said to be Rs27 crore.
According to reports, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was given more expensive watches than Imran Khan by the Gulf states.