Islamabad, January 15, 2025 – In response to ongoing concerns about a tax collection shortfall, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has carried out a significant reshuffle, transferring 49 Inland Revenue Service (IRS) officers from BS-17 to BS-20. The reshuffle comes at a crucial time, with the FBR facing a revenue collection gap of approximately Rs 380 billion in the first half (July–December) of the current fiscal year.
Among the officers affected, 13 hold positions in BS-20, which is considered a critical grade for tax collection operations. These strategic transfers reflect FBR’s attempt to address its current challenges and meet revenue targets. While Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb recently assured that the FBR would achieve the fiscal year’s target of Rs 12.9 trillion, FBR sources have expressed doubts, predicting the agency may fall short of Rs 12 trillion.
The reshuffle is seen as an effort by the FBR to bolster its administrative structure and improve revenue collection performance. By strategically placing experienced officers in key roles, the FBR hopes to enhance operational efficiency and generate better tax returns. Some of the prominent transfers include:
1. Atif Ali (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20), previously awaiting posting, has been appointed as Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals-IV), Karachi.
2. Hasnain Brohi (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20), also awaiting posting, has been assigned as Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals-II), Karachi.
3. Haroon Masood (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20) has been posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue, Cantt Zone, Regional Tax Office, Rawalpindi.
4. Syeda Adeela Bokhari (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20), awaiting posting, has been assigned as Commissioner Inland Revenue, South Zone, Regional Tax Office, Islamabad.
5. Muhammad Anwar (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20) has been posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals-IX), Lahore.
6. Naureen Yaqub (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20), also awaiting posting, has been appointed as Commissioner Inland Revenue, Zone-II, Corporate Tax Office, Islamabad.
7. Shabih-ul-Aijaz (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20), currently serving as Commissioner (Refunds) Large Taxpayers Office, Lahore, has been transferred to the position of Commissioner Inland Revenue (Refunds) Large Taxpayers Office, Karachi. He will also hold the additional charge of Commissioner-IR (Zone-V), Large Taxpayers Office, Karachi.
8. Munir Sadiq (Inland Revenue Service/BS-20), currently Commissioner (Zone-V) Large Taxpayers Office, Lahore, will now take on the additional responsibility of Commissioner-IR (Refunds) at the same office.
These personnel changes underscore FBR’s determination to address its tax collection challenges through structural realignments. With tax collection under increasing pressure, the FBR is focusing on improving administrative oversight to meet its ambitious revenue goals.