Major shake-up in economic ministries likely

FBR chairman may be removed and appointed as a federal secretary


Shahbaz Rana October 12, 2015
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ISLAMABAD:


The government is considering a major shake-up in economic ministries and could transfer four grade-22 officers, including the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman, besides sidelining an official appointed on political considerations, in an effort to improve the performance of different departments.


The changes were expected to be made in a phased manner and in the beginning top bureaucrats of the FBR could be transferred, said sources in the Ministry of Finance and Revenue.

The official hired on political grounds and a secretary might be pushed to the sidelines after questions were raised over their financial integrity, they said. However, they will be shifted to other positions in the second phase.

Sources suggested that the government could transfer FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa and appoint him as a federal secretary. He may serve under Finance Minister Ishaq Dar after being posted outside the FBR.

Dar is the minister of finance, revenue, economic affairs, statistics and privatisation and, according to sources, the changes are expected in at least three of the five divisions.

The minister has been contemplating these changes for quite some time and could announce the shake-up before leaving for Dubai, where he will lead the talks with the International Monetary Fund.

Bajwa has served as the FBR chairman for more than two years and has struggled to improve the performance of the tax collecting body. He is said to be one of the best officers of the District Management Group (DMG) - now the Pakistan Administrative Service. He is also among few chairmen of the FBR who has enjoyed a good reputation.

Bajwa strived to give a push to the highly inefficient tax machinery and at times had to rely on his friends and batchmates, who eventually let him down.

His successor has not yet been picked, although names of at least four people are under consideration. The DMG is trying to keep the post and has been pushing the names of its officers.

However, there is a realisation in the finance ministry that if the best DMG officer could not deliver, no other officer from the group can undertake the highly important task of meeting the tax collection target.

The changes will be undertaken to improve the performance of these departments, particularly the FBR, which has remained an area of concern for the government. Dar had been facing criticism on the taxation front, said the sources.

Last week, Dar said all officials including the bureaucrats should prepare for changes in the divisions under his supervision as a routine matter. He did not disclose the timing of the shake-up.

However, sources said some bureaucrats were using their political connections to influence the decisions of the finance minister.

Other FBR officers

According to sources, the government may also shift other two grade-22 officers serving in the FBR. One of them, Inland Revenue Policy member Shahid Hussain Asad, could be appointed as a federal secretary in a non-economic ministry, they said.

Another officer, Inland Revenue Operations member Ashraf Khan is also likely to be posted outside the FBR and will be replaced by a grade-21 officer.

Miss Raana Ahmad, Member Information Technology, may be removed because of her reportedly unsatisfactory performance.

Rehmatullah Wazir, Director General of Broadening of Tax Base, is likely to get an important slot in the new arrangement. Nisar Muhammad Khan, member Customs of the FBR, could retain his position.

Chief commissioners of Large Taxpayer Units of Karachi and Lahore and chief commissioner of Regional Tax Office, Lahore, are likely to get new assignments in the FBR headquarters.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2015.

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COMMENTS (3)

Hasan | 8 years ago | Reply Top reasons for FBR inefficiency 1. Lack of political will 2. Incompetent senior income tax officers 3. Zero Capacity building and HR development 4. Lack of resources FBR itself cannot bring political will but they sure can get rid of incompetent grade 21 and 22 officers who r serving as chief commissioners and board members. They must be replaced by officers who can deliver the desired results and such officers do exist both in customs and IRS. Finally, fbr must focus on capacity building of its staff and officers and financial and human resources must be distributed equitably among the officers so that they can ensure their efficient utilisation.
Naveed | 8 years ago | Reply No denying the fact about inefficiency of fbr, yet most scathing of the critism against govt mchinery comes from the circles, who fail CSS Exams thrice. How can u expect to deliver from a toothless department who is answerable to a government elected by tax evading electorate. Zarb e Azb not suffice just against Taliban. Spread the scope to settled areas and communities as well. Economic terrorism is equally culpable for present situation!
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