Nausheen Amjad appointed FBR chief

ISLAMABAD: Nausheen Javed Amjad was on Monday appointed as the Chairperson of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). She had been the acting chair of the revenue body since February in the absence of the former FBR chief Shabbar Zaidi.

According to the Radio Pakistan, Zaidi had gone on an indefinite leave due to health issues. In February, Zaidi had rejected speculation about his resignation, saying he had been unable to perform his duties due to ill health.

The federal cabinet approved the appointment of Ms Amjad as the FBR chief after circulating a summary in this regard. Zaidi was removed from his position as the honourary chief of the revenue body in the summary.

Earlier, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh had said in a statement that Zaidi was unwell and on a long vacation. “If Shabbar Zaidi does not recover then we will look for a replacement. His return would be determined by the doctor.”

Speculations were rife about Zaidi’s resignation after it was reported that he was on an indefinite leave from official duties on medical grounds. Zaidi had gone on sick leave from January 6 to January 19, which had led to rumours that there was a rift in the government’s economic team.