Seniority issue: FBR members refuse to work under new chief

[Naveed Yaseen]

SOHAIL SARFRAZ
ISLAMABAD (May 15 2009): The members of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have refused to work under the newly appointed chairman of FBR as he is 5 to 6 years junior to the present FBR members. Sources told Business Recorder on Thursday that the government has appointed Sohail Ahmad, an official of District Management Group (DMG), as FBR Chairman.

The newly appointed FBR Chairman belongs to the 1980 CSS batch (seventh common training programme) as compared to senior officials of 1976 batch and those of before this period. The new FBR Chairman belongs to the seven common batch whereas FBR members belong to the second common, third common and other senior batches. The FBR members are 5 to 6 years senior as compared to the newly appointed chairman.

It has been reliably learnt that some of the FBR members are contemplating going on leave as they have shown serious resentment over the new chairman's appointment. The FBR members are also trying to meet the Advisor to the PM on Finance to submit their viewpoint on this issue. FBR Members have shown their concern over the appointment of a junior official of DMG on the key position of revenue generation agency.

Meanwhile, the FBR has appointed Hafiz Anis Member Enforcement as new FBR Member Customs following retirement of Afzal Bhatti, former Member Customs, from May 14, 2009.

Presently, FBR Members include FBR Member Inland Revenue Irfan Nadeem; Member Fiscal Research and Statistics Mumtaz Haidar Rizvi; Member Tax Policy and Reforms Afzal Naubahar Kayani; Member Facilitation and Taxpayer Education Wing (FATE) Mahmood Alam; Member Legal Mumtaz Sheikh; Member Audit Khalid Aziz Banth and Member Inspection and Internal Audit Wing Shahid Azam Khan.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=38412