ISLAMABAD: Shabbar Zaidi, the newly appointed Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), has made a swift impact by issuing new directives aimed at improving transparency and taxpayer relations. In his first major move after assuming office, Zaidi directed that no taxpayer’s bank account would be frozen without prior notice, ensuring that taxpayers are informed at least 24 hours in advance.
(more…)Tag: FBR chairman
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Notification issued to appoint Shabbar Zaidi as FBR chairman
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has appointed Syed Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi as chairman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for the period of two years.
The establishment division on Thursday issued a notification in this regard.
The notification said that Shabbar Zaidi has been appointed on honorary basis / pro bono basis, for a period of two years with immediate effect and until further orders.
Shabbar Zaidi is 26th chairman of the FBR. Zaidi will replace Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan, who was serving as FBR chairman since August 29, 2018.
Following is the list of FBR chairmen:
1) Mr. Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan 29.08.2018 —- 2) Ms. Rukhsana Yasmin 02.07.2018 29.08.2018 3) Mr. Tariq Mahmood Pasha 04.07.2017 02.07.2018 4) Dr. Muhamad Irshad 19.01.2017 30.06.2017 5) Mr. Nisar Muhammad Khan 17.11.2015 18.01.2017 6) Mr. Tariq Bajwa 02-07-2013 17.11.2015 7) Mr.Ansar Javed 10-04-2013 30-06-2013 8) Mr. Ali Arshad Hakeem 10-07-2012 09-04-2013 9) Mr. Mumtaz Haider Rizvi 21.01.2012 10-07-2012 10) Mr. Salman Siddique 24.12.2010 21.01.2012 11) Mr. Sohail Ahmad 18.05.2009 24.12.2010 12) Mr. Moinuddin Khan 02.01.1998 06.11.1998 13) Mr. Hafeezullah Ishaq 11.11.1996 02.01.1998 14) Mr. Shamim Ahmed 28.08.1996 11.11.1996 15) Mr. Alvi Abdul Rahim 13.07.1995 28.08.1996 16) Mr. Sajjad Hasan 24.07.1991 03.10.1991 17) Mr. Ahadullah Akmal 16.08.1990 24.07.1991 18) Mr. Ghulam Yazdani Khan 22.01.1989 11.08.1990 19) Syed Aitezazuddin Ahmed 20.08.1988 02.01.1989 20) Mr. I.A. Imtiazi 11.08.1985 20.08.1988 21) Mr. Fazlur Rahman Khan 14.12.1980 11.08.1985 22) Mr. N.M. Qureshi 12.11.1975 14.12.1980 23) Mr. M. Zulfiqar 01.10.1974 12.11.1975 24) Mr. Riaz Ahmad 17.11.1973 30.09.1974 25) Mr. M. Zulfiqar 11.10.1971 17.11.1973 -
Shabbar Zaidi appointment as FBR chairman without advertisement may tantamount to contempt of court
ISLAMABAD: The selection committee has observed that appointment of Shabbar Zaidi without advertising the post as chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Secretary Revenue Division may tantamount to contempt of court.
The selection committee for the selection of the senior officers held its meeting on May 06, 2019 for and considered the FBR Chairman is appointed by Federal Government in terms of Section 3 (3) of FBR Act, 2007.
The Federal Government has been defined as the ‘Federal Cabinet’ in Article 90 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 (Annex-II) and Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan’s judgment dated 18-08-2016 passed in Civil Appeals No.1428/2016 and 1436/2016.
The selection committee observed the name of Dr. Ahmad Mujtaba Memon (PCS/BS-21) was discussed for his appointment as Chairman, FBR / Secretary, Revenue Division.
“After detailed discussions, the Committee was of the view that Dr. Ahmad Mujtaba Memon (PCS/BS-21) is too junior to be posted / appointed as Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue / Secretary, Revenue Division.”
Whereafter, the Adviser on Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs recommended Syed Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi, Chartered Accountant, for appointment as Chairman, FBR / Secretary, Revenue Division.
The Committee observed that Islamabad High Court, Islamabad, vide judgment dated 05-06-2013 passed in Writ Petition No.812/ 2013 (Annex-IV) while setting aside notification of appointment of Ali Arshad Hakeem as Chairman, FBR, inter alia, directed Establishment Division, for appointing regular Chairman, FBR, through competitive process after advertising the post.
“However, Ali Arshad Hakeem as Chairman, FBR, enjoyed all financial benefits of the post. It was discussed that possibility of appointment of Syed Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi may be explored on pro bono / honorary basis.”
“The committee of the view that the advice from law and justice division may be solicited in this regard since Syed Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi is from private sector,” according to the report of selection committee.
It further said that since pro bono appointment are being made by the government without advertisement, such as appointment of chairman, prime minister’s inspection commission (PMIC), Chairman NAVTTC, option of pro bono appointment of Chairman FBR/Secretary, Revenue Division, without advertisement is worth exploring.
“Since express directors of the court are in field regarding appointment of chairman FBR through competitive process appointing Syed Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi without advertising the post as FBR chairman / Secretary Revenue Division may tantamount to contempt of court.”
Keeping this aspect in view, the division sought advice from law and justice division on the following propositions:
Whether or not FBR chairman can be appointed from private sector in terms of Section 3(3) of the FBR Act, 2007.
Whether or not the post of FBR chairman is required to be advertised if the appointment is to be made on honorary / pro bono basis.
Further the selection committee went through the CV of Shabbar Zaidi and observed that he had made representation before the FBR on behalf of the clients for various clarifications and reconciliations. “The existing of conflict of interest in his appointment as FBR chairman/ Secretary Revenue Division also needs to be taken into consideration,” it added.
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FBR field offices show resentment on appointment of chairman from private sector
KARACHI: A massive resentment has been shown by the employees of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on nomination of a chartered accountant for top post of the revenue body.
The working at the FBR is at standstill following the nomination of Shabbar Zaidi as FBR chairman by the Prime Minister two days back.
The officers of the FBR are arguing that till today Shabbar Zaidi was helping his clients to avoid taxes if not evade taxes through aggressive tax planning.
“If he is appointed as chairman of the FBR then he will lead tax teams in the field to conduct audit of taxpayers including his clients to detect mis-declarations / under-declarations, tax avoidance and tax evasion,” a FBR official said.
There is no legal bar except that his appointment may be against the doctrine of conflict of interest, the official said.
There is no moral justication for employees of FBR to raise objection on his appointment as Section 3(3) of FBR Act, 2007 empowers the federal government to appoint any person as Chairman FBR on such terms and conditions as it may determine.
The official said that the only point on the basis of which Shabbar Zaidi’s appointment can be challenged by FBR employees is that the appointment may be in violation of doctrine of conflict of interest, which can only be decided by a court of law.
Shabbar Zaidi has been the Managing Partner of Fergusson in Pakistan and hundreds of companies audit have been conducted and completed under his supervision, advice, guidance and signature.
Those audited books of accounts up to previous five years would now be presented before his subordinate officers in the FBR and in the field formations.
What would happen if an issue of his client is brought before him under section 7 of FBR Act 2007 for settlement where in he himself or even his former Chartered accountant firm has completed audit, the official questioned.
Conflict of interest would still be there even if he assigns the case to any member of FBR for decision because he would be head of the office.
Other serious issue in his case would be that he can not be Secretary Revenue Division so the government has to have separate Secretary Revenue Division from the bureaucratic hierarchy most probably from PAS.
So working conditions may not be good for Shabbar due to probable resistance though he is highly competent and an extraordinary individual of strategic thinking and also very fair, honest and judicious.
The other technical hitch is that if Chairman FBR has to be brought from private sector then it has to be through open competition by giving advertisement in the press as ruled by the Superior Courts.
Another officer said that the appointment of FBR officials was made through Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) in a transparent manner.
“An officer spends his entire life with hope that in reward to his judicious work he would become chairman,” the officer said, adding that the precedent set by the government would demoralize the FBR officials.
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FPCCI hails appointing professional for FBR top post
KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Tuesday praised the government for appointing a professional as chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
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