Author: Mrs. Anjum Shahnawaz

ISLAMABAD: An officer of the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) has been awarded a major penalty of ‘dismissal from service’ after the officer was found guilty of corruption and misconduct.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on a complaint of a taxpayer initiated an inquiry against Syed Zubair Shah, a BS-19 officer of IRS.

M/s. Pak Steel Re-Rolling Mills, Islamabad lodged a complaint against the IRS officer last year.

The FBR appointed Ms. Qaisara Fatima (IRS/BS-20) as Inquiry Officer to probe the charges against the accused officer. The inquiry officer submitted a report on December 04, 2020 with the findings that the charges of corruption and misconduct were proved against the officer.

On the basis of the inquiry report, a Show Cause Notice was issued on 22.12.2020 to the accused officer with the directions to show cause within seven (07) days of the receipt as to why one or more penalties including Major Penalty of “Dismissal from Service” under Government Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 1973 may not be imposed upon him.

The accused officer furnished a reply to the Show Cause Notice and denied charges leveled against him and sought an opportunity of personal hearing which was granted by the Authorized Officer on 21.01.2021.

The accused officer challenged the evidence and the Authorized Officer directed the Inquiry Officer to get a forensic audit conducted from the Cyber Crime Wing of FIA. The Inquiry Officer repeatedly directed the accused officer to get his voice recorded for purpose of his voice samples to be produced before FIA authorities; however, there the accused was reluctant and avoided getting his voice recorded. Accordingly, to decide the case another opportunity for a personal hearing was granted by the Authorized Officer on 08.11.2021.

Moreover, the inquiry officer sent the evidence for a forensic audit to the FIA, which contained the voice of the accused and Chief Accountant of M/s. Pak Steel Re-Rolling Mills, Islamabad. The report received from FIA on the telephonic conversation clearly states that spectrogram analysis of audio files obtained from the cell phone of the complainant depicts no sudden variations in pitch and frequency. Therefore, the FIA’s report regarding the conversation recorded on the CD (evidence) confirmed the voice/conversation of the accused officer with the complainant.

After examining the record of the case, written reply of the accused officer including a reply to the Show Cause Notice and findings of the inquiry officer, the Authorized Officer recommended imposition of a major penalty of “dismissal from service” under Rule 4(1)(b)(iv) of Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1973 upon Syed Zubair Shah (IRS/BS-19).

The Competent Authority, i.e Secretary Revenue Division after considering all the aspects and material relating to the case, defense of the accused officer including a reply to the Show Cause Notice, findings of the inquiry officer, and recommendations of the Authorized officer, has decided to impose a major penalty of “dismissal from service” under Rule 4(1)(b)(iv) of Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1973 upon Syed Zubair Shah (IRS/BS-19) presently posted as Secretary (Admin Pool), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad (under suspension).

In light of the above, a major penalty of “dismissal from service” is imposed upon Syed Zubair Shah (IRS/BS-19), Secretary (Admin Pool), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad as laid down in sub-clause (iv) of clause (b) of sub Rule (1) of Rule 4 of the Government Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 1973 with immediate effect.

Syed Zubair Shah (IRS/BS-19), shall have the right to appeal to the Appellate Authority under Civil Servants (Appeals) Rules, 1977 within a period of 30 days from the date of communication of this Notification, as provided under the relevant Rules.