Female Inland Revenue Service officer dismissed after failing to resume duty following the expiry of approved study leave in the United Kingdom.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has removed a female officer of the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) from service after finding her guilty of prolonged unauthorised absence following the expiry of her approved study leave abroad.
According to an official notification, Ms Tayyaba Israr (IRS/BS-17), who was posted at the Regional Tax Office (RTO) Lahore, was awarded the major penalty of “removal from service” under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020.
The officer had initially been granted 366 days of ex-Pakistan study leave from 18 September 2023 to 17 September 2024 to pursue a Master’s degree in International Public Policy at Queen’s University Belfast in the United Kingdom.
The FBR later approved an extension of 546 days, allowing her to remain abroad until 17 March 2026, with instructions to resume official duties on 18 March 2026.
Leave extension request rejected
Before the expiry of her approved leave, Ms Israr applied for a further three-year extension, seeking permission to remain on leave from 18 March 2026 to 17 March 2029.
The request was rejected by the competent authority, which directed her through a letter dated 16 March 2026 to report back to duty immediately. The communication also warned that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated if she failed to comply.
Instead of returning to Pakistan, the officer submitted a review petition requesting reconsideration of the decision. The review request was also rejected.
Disciplinary proceedings initiated
Following her continued absence, the FBR initiated disciplinary proceedings by issuing a show-cause notice on 6 May 2026 under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020, without conducting a formal inquiry.
She was charged with misconduct for remaining absent from duty without authorisation from 18 March 2026 onwards.
Ms Israr submitted her written response on 19 May 2026 and was subsequently granted a personal hearing via Zoom on 24 June 2026.
During the hearing, she requested that the disciplinary proceedings be withdrawn and again sought approval for three years of extraordinary leave without pay, citing personal circumstances.
Charge proved, says FBR
After reviewing the leave record, the show-cause notice, the officer’s written reply and the proceedings of the personal hearing, the Secretary, Revenue Division/Chairman FBR concluded that the charge of unauthorised absence had been fully established.
According to the notification, the authority found that the circumstances presented by the officer did not prevent her from returning to Pakistan and resuming her official responsibilities.
It further observed that she had maintained her position that she intended to return only after 17 March 2029, despite the rejection of her leave extension requests.
In light of these findings, the FBR imposed the major penalty of removal from service under Rule 4(3)(d) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020.
The notification states that Ms Tayyaba Israr retains the right to file an appeal before the competent appellate authority under the Civil Servants (Appeal) Rules, 1977, within 30 days of the issuance of the order.