Following claims circulating on social media and in political circles regarding an $18,499 Rolex watch against Maulana Asad Mahmood—son of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman and former Federal Minister for Communications—official records and facts regarding NAB inquiries have come to light.
Strong claims had been circulating claiming that former Federal Minister for Communications Maulana Asad Mahmood received a valuable Rolex watch on January 18, 2023—worth approximately 5.1 million Pakistani Rupees ($18,499)—and did not deposit it into the Toshakhana, using it for personal gain.
These claims asserted that such an act would constitute a loss to the national exchequer and financial irregularity.
However, official Toshakhana records from 2002 to 2023 released by the federal government reveal the opposite.
According to the official records, watches and all other gifts received by Maulana Asad Mahmood during foreign visits throughout his ministerial tenure were officially reported and declared to the Cabinet Division in full compliance with the law.
Toshakhana Legal Regulations and Paperwork Procedure
According to Cabinet Division rules, it is legally mandatory for any public office holder, including ministers and prime ministers, to report foreign gifts received.
According to the published figures, following the procedure established under the law, gifts can be retained after paying a specific percentage or deposited into the state treasury as permitted by regulations.
NAB and FIA Inquiry into Illegal Recruitments in Pakistan Post
While cleared on the Toshakhana matter, the former Minister for Communications is currently facing a separate legal and administrative challenge. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have expanded their investigations into alleged illegal recruitments of thousands of personnel and other financial and administrative irregularities within Pakistan Post.
Investigating agencies have issued formal summons notices to Maulana Asad Mahmood regarding these recruitment inquiries, requesting details of the relevant ministerial tenure records and hiring processes.
Political Accountability and Review of Ministerial Performance
While the public release of Toshakhana records in Pakistan has reinforced transparency, public debate surrounding official visits and gifts received by political figures has intensified.
Accounting for gifts received by political leadership remains an essential element for restoring public confidence.
On the other hand, departmental appointments and ongoing inquiries during ministerial tenures reflect the importance of strict compliance with legal requirements in administrative decisions.
Action by NAB and FIA in the Pakistan Post case is part of the broader system of political and administrative accountability that could impact Maulana Asad Mahmood’s political future in the days to come.
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