FBR warns actions against officials accepting gifts

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday warned its officials against accepting gifts or valuables from taxpayers, saying any such step could lead to disciplinary actions, including the possibility of loss of jobs.
The FBR, in its latest code of conduct, said the government servants and their family members are barred from receiving gifts from those having interest in official matters.
“Similarly, they may not receive any gift from diplomats, consular or foreign government representatives stationed in Pakistan,” said the document released by the Facilitation and Taxpayers Education (FATE) wing of the FBR.
It said such an action will be treated as misconduct and will invite fines and penalties, including dismissal from the service.
The code said in cases where refusal to a gift is difficult then the same should be deposited in the government treasury.
The revenue authority said the authority may impose a penalty, ranging from censure to dismissal from the service depending on the nature of the act of misconduct, in case of violation.
The FBR also said as a government servant no official is allowed to accept foreign award, title or decoration.
If an award, a title or decoration conferred on an official then it will require prior approval of the President of Pakistan.
Under the Code of Conduct, the government servants are restrained from fund raising unless it is approved by the government.
The document said an official is not allowed to lend or borrow money to those having official dealings.
However, this rule is not applicable while dealing with the joint stock company/bank or any other financial institution.
“If lending/borrowing has taken place prior to the appointment in the revenue service the official is required to make complete disclosure of the dealings,” the document said.
Officials are required prior permission from the authorities for buying or selling moveable or immovable property, including agriculture/urban land, bonds, shares and securities, where value exceeds Rs100,000.
However, officials are allowed to purchase plots from a cooperative society or a government housing scheme, it said.
The FBR document said a government servant cannot be indulged in provincialism, parochialism, favouritism or willful abuse of his office.
Similarly, as a government servant an official may not seek the assistance of any direct/indirect political influence of local or foreign contacts in personal and/or official matters.