This is with reference to report published in a section of media, including your newspaper(March 5/2020), about alleged illegal act of former PM Yusaf Raza Gillani allowing retention of expensive vehicles gifted by different foreign heads of states, instead of being retained by Central Pool of Cars. We must set record straight that this irregularity being depicted as most expensive is not factual.
According to international practice, gifts given by one state to another are for their respective governments and not for specific individual. To set record straight this malpractice and irregularity started in 1963 when US Government gifted Ghandhara Motors which was retained by family of former military dictator Ayub Khan. This was the most expensive gift ever given by any foreign government to Pakistan. It was perhaps a coincidence that this followed Ayub Khan’s decision not to intervene in 1962 on advice of China to liberate IOK. There is no record of numerous gifts given to both civil political elite and uniformed elite who frequently visit Gulf and Middle East kingdoms and sheikdoms who are known for giving such lavish gifts.
The irregularity involving Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, were armored vehicles BMW750Li, Lexus Jeep, BMW760Li gifted by UAE and Libya to Pakistan. The report further suggests that these expensive gifts were retained by former VVIPs after paying nominal retention fee of 15%. We must also not forget that Musharraf himself has accepted that he was gifted almost $25 Million by Saudi royalty.
Ali Malik
Lahore
