Customs, IRS associations meet FBR chief amid disquiet

LAHORE: The office bearers of the associations of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) & interim committee of Inland Revenue Service (IRS) met Chairman FBR Amjad Zubair Tiwana in his office to convey the concerns of both services at the non-transparent and arbitrary method adopted for recent profiling & placing of the senior most officers of both services on the admin pool of FBR.

They expressed their resentment at the media trial of these officers in particular and the two services in general which is damaging morale & performance of officers of both the services.

Both the associations expressed the sentiments of the officers who are feeling threatened and harassed, because the due process provided under the law, rules & regulations for dealing with inefficiency, misconduct & integrity issues has not been observed.

Moreover, the field formations have been collecting revenue despite adverse economic situation, but efforts of the officers in establishing writ of the state remain neglected by concerned authorities. FBR has met all assigned targets so far with tireless efforts of these officers.

FBR chairman categorically stated that transfer posting remains a prerogative of government. However, placement in admin pool of certain officers has been done to comply with the government’s directives. The FBR chairman further assured the association members that his office will request for a meeting of both the associations with the prime minister & the officers can exercise their lawful rights to register their concerns. Furthermore, a zoom meeting of all officers of customs and IRS will be arranged at the earliest wherein the chairman will explain how the current situation developed.

It is pertinent to mention here that the officers (BS-17-22) of both the services do not endorse any corrupt practice, however caution and transparency of accountability should be in place in view of conflict of interest due to involvement of other stakeholders.

The recent developments would undermine working conditions of officers of both services who are united in asserting that it’s the country’s loss more than the departments.

At this critical time when there are only 2 months are left in FY-2024, this hostile environment created on whimsical grounds will be detrimental towards the achievement of revenue targets.