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Government Gifts Accountability Dataset
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About
This dataset unveils details of the Toshakhana gift scandal in Pakistan, focusing on allegations of former government officials receiving luxury vehicles and other gifts from foreign leaders and dignitaries [1]. The Toshakhana is a treasure trove where such gifts are kept. An investigation ordered by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2018 found that various former officials, including presidents and prime ministers, accepted gifts worth millions of dollars without declaring them to the government or paying the required taxes [1]. This has sparked considerable controversy, raising questions about ethical and legal norms versus diplomatic courtesies [1]. The ongoing case has major implications for Pakistan's political and legal systems, highlighting issues of transparency and accountability among its leadership [2].
Columns
The dataset contains 9 columns, providing granular detail on the gifts and their recipients:
- Detail of Gifts: Describes the specific items received. The most common gift recorded is 'One Carpet' [3].
- Item Category: Categorises the type of gift. 'Watch' is the most common category, though 45% of entries are missing this information [3].
- Name of Recipient: Identifies the individual who received the gift. Mr. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan, appears as the most frequent recipient [3].
- Affiliation: Notes the recipient's professional or governmental affiliation. 'Military' is the most common affiliation, with 24% of entries missing [4].
- Date: The date on which the gift was received, spanning from 8th January 2002 to 24th October 2022 [4].
- Assessed Value: The estimated monetary value of the gift. Values range significantly, with a mean of 321k and a maximum observed value of 140m [5].
- Retention Cost: The cost incurred for retaining the gift. The mean retention cost is 48.5k, with a maximum of 20.2m [6].
- Retained: Indicates whether the gift was retained by the recipient, with 'Yes' being the most common status (89%) [6].
- Remarks: Additional notes or comments related to the gift or transaction. 'Yes' is the most common entry in this column [7].
Distribution
The dataset is provided in CSV format and measures 578.06 kB [8]. It comprises 9 columns and approximately 4,214 records, based on the 'Name of Recipient' column's valid count [4, 8].
Usage
This dataset is ideal for:
- Investigating the total value of gifts received by former government officials [2].
- Analysing which specific individuals received gifts and their nature [9].
- Determining if officials declared gifts or paid taxes [9].
- Identifying patterns or trends in gift types, recipients, or countries of origin [9].
- Exploring potential influence of gifts on official decisions or actions [9].
- Examining the functionality of the Toshakhana regarding record-keeping and accountability [9].
- Assessing legal or ethical violations stemming from gift receipts [8].
- Uncovering efforts to conceal gift receipts [8].
- Data analytics and visualisation to expose corruption [8].
- Exploratory data analysis on government transparency and crime [8].
Coverage
The dataset covers the period from 8th January 2002 to 24th October 2022 [4]. Its geographic scope is Pakistan, focusing on its ruling elite and government officials [1]. The demographic scope includes former presidents, prime ministers, and other officials [1]. Notes on data availability for specific groups/years can be inferred from the varying valid percentages and missing values across columns, such as 'Item Category' (45% missing) and 'Affiliation' (24% missing) [3, 4].
License
CC0: Public Domain
Who Can Use It
This dataset is invaluable for:
- Journalists and media outlets reporting on government corruption and accountability.
- Academic researchers and students studying political science, anti-corruption efforts, and governance in Pakistan.
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) focused on transparency, good governance, and public accountability.
- Data analysts and data scientists seeking to perform forensic analysis, trend identification, and data visualisations on corruption cases.
- Policy makers interested in understanding the implications of official misconduct.
Dataset Name Suggestions
- Pakistan Toshakhana Gifts Data
- Pakistan Officials Gift Scandal
- Toshakhana Corruption Files
- Pakistan Elite Gifts Disclosure
- Government Gifts Accountability Dataset
Attributes
Original Data Source:Government Gifts Accountability Dataset
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