Islamabad, April 26, 2024 – In a significant shake-up within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), twelve of its most senior officers have been removed from critical posts across both the Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) and the Inland Revenue Service (IRS).
The abrupt reassignments, announced Friday, place these high-ranking officials in the admin pool pending further instructions.
The reshuffle includes both BS-21 and BS-22 officers and follows what insiders describe as a thorough performance evaluation that reportedly left top FBR authorities unsatisfied. The move has sparked concerns among various quarters about its timing and potential impact on the agency’s operational efficiency, particularly with the fiscal year-end approaching.
The affected officers include:
1. Mukarram Jah Ansari (PCS/BS-22) – Formerly Member (Legal & Accounting-Customs) at FBR Headquarters, Islamabad.
2. Mrs. Shah Bano G.M Khan (IRS/BS-21) – Formerly Member at FBR Headquarters and Director General (IOCO), Islamabad.
3. Dr. Fareed Iqbal Qureshi (PCS/BS-21) – Previously Member (Customs Operations) at FBR Headquarters, Islamabad.
4. Tariq Mustafa Khan (IRS/BS-21) – Outgoing Member (Accounting) at FBR Headquarters, Islamabad.
5. Ahmad Rauf (PCS/BS-21) – Ex-Director General, Directorate General of Law & Prosecution, Islamabad.
6. Mirza Mubashir Baig (PCS/BS-21) – Former Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi.
7. Hyder Ali Dharejo (IRS/BS-21) – Previously Chief Commissioner, Regional Tax Office I, Karachi.
8. Muhammad Azam Sheikh (IRS/BS-21) – Ex-Director General, Directorate General of Internal Audit (Inland Revenue), Islamabad.
9. Muhammad Saleem (PCS/BS-21) – Former Chief Collector, Chief Collector of Customs, Appraisement (South), Custom House, Karachi.
10. Abdul Wahid Uqaily (IRS/BS-21) – Formerly Chief Commissioner, Regional Tax Office II, Karachi.
11. Afaque Ahmed Qureshi (IRS/BS-21) – Outgoing Member, (IR-Policy) at FBR Headquarters, Islamabad.
12. Khurshid Ahmad Khan Marwat (IRS/BS-21) – Former Chief Commissioner, Regional Tax Office, Islamabad.
The reassignments have raised eyebrows given their proximity to the close of the fiscal year 2023-24, with just two months remaining. Sources within the FBR express concerns that these sudden changes could disrupt ongoing projects and complicate the crucial year-end revenue collection efforts.
Additionally, the reshuffling has reportedly sent a wave of uncertainty through the ranks of FBR, with employees concerned about the potential for further changes at the top levels. This atmosphere of instability is feared to potentially demoralize the workforce, which could further impact the organization’s effectiveness during a critical period for revenue generation.
Experts speculate that the mass removal could be part of a broader strategy to invigorate the organization’s performance by infusing new leadership. However, others argue that such sweeping changes may be too abrupt and could risk the integrity of ongoing operations and the morale of the staff.
“The removal of key figures from their posts at such a pivotal time is puzzling,” noted a senior FBR official who wished to remain anonymous. “While the need for accountability and optimal performance is understandable, the timing and scale of these reassignments may pose more challenges than solutions.”
As the FBR navigates through these substantial internal changes, the focus will inevitably shift towards how it plans to maintain stability and efficiency. The interim period will be critical as the FBR reassesses its strategies to ensure that its revenue collection targets for the fiscal year are not jeopardized.
The repercussions of these reassignments will likely unfold over the coming weeks, as the FBR adjusts to its newly restructured leadership landscape. Stakeholders and observers alike will be watching closely, awaiting further developments that will reveal whether this bold move was a strategic step forward or a misstep in managing the intricate dynamics of one of Pakistan’s most pivotal financial institutions.
