Karachi, December 25, 2023 – In an unusual move, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) made significant announcements regarding the postings of senior officers of the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) on a public holiday today, December 25, 2023.
The nation is observing the birth anniversary of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam, and simultaneously, the Christian community is celebrating Christmas. Despite the public holiday, the FBR deemed it appropriate to release details of key transfers and postings for senior IRS officers in BS-21 and BS-20.
The federal government had declared today as a public holiday to mark the special occasion of Quaid-e-Azam’s birth anniversary and the Christmas celebrations. It is a day of nationwide festivities and commemoration. However, amid these celebrations, the FBR chose to make official announcements related to the reshuffling of IRS officers.
The FBR, in its notification, disclosed the transfers and postings of several officers, outlining the changes with immediate effect. The move has raised eyebrows, as it is not customary for such important administrative decisions to be made on public holidays.
Among the notable announcements are:
1. Ms. Sadia Sadaf Gillani (Inland Revenue Service/BS-21):
• Current Post: Chief Commissioner, Corporate Tax Office, Lahore.
• Additional Charge: Director General, Inland Revenue Service Academy, Lahore.
• Assignment Period: December 26, 2023, to January 5, 2024.
• Reason: Temporary assignment during the leave period of Ms. Amina Hassan (IRS/BS-21).
2. Ms. Samia Ejaz (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20):
• Current Post: Commissioner, (Zone-V) Corporate Tax Office, Lahore.
• Additional Charge: Commissioner-IR (Zone-IV), Corporate Tax Office, Lahore.
• Reason: As per Rules governing such appointments.
3. Khaliq Farooq Mian (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20):
• Transfer: From the post of Commissioner, (Zone-IV) Corporate Tax Office, Lahore.
• New Post: Chief (Admin Pool), Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad (stationed at Lahore).
The FBR clarified that officers receiving performance allowance before the issuance of this notification will continue to receive it at their new place of posting.
The decision to make such important announcements on a public holiday has sparked discussions within administrative circles, with some questioning the timing and the impact on the officers involved. The FBR has yet to provide an official statement justifying the unusual timing of the notifications.
As the nation continues its celebrations, the FBR’s actions are likely to be a topic of discussion and scrutiny in the coming days. The timing of these postings on a day of national importance adds an unexpected twist to what would have otherwise been a day of unity and festivity.
