Islamabad, January 22, 2025 – The Inland Revenue Service Officers Association (IRSOA) has announced its firm decision to boycott the recently introduced Rating and Reward System (RRS) by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). In a detailed statement, IRSOA strongly urged its members to stand united in rejecting what it deems a deeply flawed and counterproductive initiative.
After careful deliberation, the IRSOA concluded that the RRS undermines the professional integrity and structural stability of the Inland Revenue Service (IRS). Highlighting their concerns, IRSOA stated:
1. Unfair Targeting of the IRS: The IRSOA emphasized that no other civil service in Pakistan is subjected to such an intrusive and discriminatory review system. The association believes the IRS is being unjustly singled out, and this bias is unacceptable.
2. Subjectivity and Favoritism in Evaluation: The criteria for evaluation under the RRS are entirely subjective, creating opportunities for personal biases and favoritism. For example, out of 50 officers, only 10 can be graded as category-A, effectively labeling the remaining 40 as corrupt. The IRSOA argued that this arbitrary grading mechanism enforces an unfair stigma and forces officers to label their colleagues as corrupt in order to submit evaluations.
3. Harmful Impact on Morale and Integrity: The IRSOA expressed its concerns about the demoralizing effect of such a system, where FBR officers are compelled to label their peers as lacking integrity. This practice is not only unfair but also damaging to professional relationships and the organizational culture.
4. Further Reputational Harm to the FBR: The association warned that the RRS would exacerbate the challenges already faced by the FBR, an institution frequently subjected to undue scrutiny compared to other government departments. The negative perception created by this system could harm the performance of the FBR and, by extension, impact state revenue.
The IRSOA firmly believes that the RRS is not a reformative initiative but an ill-conceived mechanism that will worsen existing challenges. The association has called on the FBR administration to immediately withdraw the scheme and engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to address genuine concerns.
The IRSOA remains committed to promoting constructive reforms that strengthen the Inland Revenue Service and enhance its vital role in national development.