Karachi, February 1, 2024 – In a significant move, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has executed a major reshuffle by notifying the transfers and postings of 45 customs officers in the ranks of BS-18 to BS-21.
This move comes just days before the scheduled general elections in Pakistan, set to take place on February 8, 2024.
Among the notable names affected by the reshuffle are seasoned officers who have been at the forefront of customs management:
1. Ms. Rabab Sikandar (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21): Transferred and posted as Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement (Punjab), Custom House, Lahore, from her previous post as Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement (Punjab), Custom House, Lahore.
2. Muhammad Sadiq (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21): Reassigned as Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement (Punjab), Custom House, Lahore, moving from his former role as Chief Collector of Customs (Exports) at Custom House, Karachi.
3. Mirza Mubashir Baig (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21): Appointed as the new Director General of the Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi, succeeding his role as Chief Collector of Customs Enforcement (Punjab), Custom House, Lahore.
4. Ms. Saima Shehzad (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21): Now serving as Chief Collector of Customs (Exports) at Custom House, Karachi, after her transfer from the position of Director General at the Customs Academy of Pakistan (CAP), Karachi (stationed at Lahore).
5. Muhammad Saleem (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21): Assumes the role of Chief Collector of Customs, Appraisement (South), Custom House, Karachi, following his stint as Director General of the Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi.
6. Ashhad Jawwad (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21): Transferred and posted as Director General at the Customs Academy of Pakistan (CAP), Karachi (stationed at Lahore), transitioning from his previous position as Chief Collector of Customs, Appraisement (South), Custom House, Karachi.
The reshuffling of these key positions has raised eyebrows, especially considering the timing, just ahead of the general elections. Many are questioning the motives behind these changes and whether they hold any political implications.
Sources within the FBR, however, have attributed the reshuffle to the ongoing restructuring efforts within the organization. The move is seen as part of a broader initiative aimed at optimizing the performance and efficiency of the customs department.
The official notification of these transfers and postings is dated January 31, 2024, coinciding with the visit of the caretaker finance minister, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, to the FBR House. During the visit, the finance minister engaged with the FBR chairman and senior officers, discussing measures to implement recently approved reforms sanctioned by the federal cabinet.
As the nation braces itself for the upcoming general elections, the reshuffling of customs officers adds a layer of complexity to an already charged political environment, prompting close scrutiny of the FBR’s restructuring agenda and its potential impact on the electoral process.
