Cabinet panel briefed on rightsizing of Revenue Division, MoPA

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee on Rightsizing of the Federal Government was given detailed presentations here on Friday by the Revenue Division and the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety (MoPA&SS) regarding their mandates, organisational structures, budget allocations, expenditures, and the impact of their work on public services.

The meeting of the federal committee was chaired virtually by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, from Davos, Switzerland, according to a press release issued by finance ministry here. Representatives from the Revenue Division highlighted key aspects of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) transformation plan, focusing on initiatives designed to modernise the Customs Department. The transformation plan, approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on September 19, 2024, aims to improve operations, including automation and technology integration, such as faceless customs assessment and examination.

The Rightsizing Committee was briefed on steps taken by the Revenue Division to streamline operations, including the abolition of 158 posts (BS-18 and below) and the designation of 27 posts (BS-16 to 20) as “dying posts” as part of the cabinet decision on August 27, 2024. In response to challenges faced by the FBR, the Revenue Division proposed a one-time dispensation from the requirement to abolish 60 per cent of vacant posts within its field formations. The finance minister acknowledged the challenges the FBR had faced due to under-investment over the years and reiterated the importance of embracing technological advancements, such as the implementation of automation systems, to improve efficiency and service delivery.