Nausheen Javaid appointed FBR Chairperson

ISLAMABAD: Amid massive revenue shortfall, the government has finally appointed Nausheen Javaid Amjad as the Chairperson of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The FBR has so far faced revenue shortfall of Rs458 billion in its revised downward target of the first nine months as the net collection stood at Rs3,063 billion against the revised target of Rs3,521 billion. The FBR’s target was revised downward from Rs5.555 trillion to Rs5.238 trillion and now the Board had requested the IMF for further reduction in the target to Rs4.8 trillion. However, in the aftermath of outbreak of COVID-19 virus, the latest estimates suggest that the FBR’s collection might hardly touch Rs4 to Rs4.2 trillion till June 30, 2020.

The PTI-led government had made several changes in the FBR during its last 20 months rule and now Nausheen Javaid was appointed as chairperson after termination of two-year contract of FBR former chairman Shabbar Zaidi because of his deterioration in health condition.

This time the PM took more time as once he discussed appointment of his Special Assistant on Revenues and even had offered to Haroon Akhtar Khan but this proposal could not be finalised because of stiff resistance given by Adviser to PM on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh. Dr Shaikh had threatened to part his ways second time if his powers were clipped by bifurcating Finance and Revenues and reducing his powers. He had used the same strategy when the government had once appointed Hammad Azhar as Federal Minister for Revenues. Now the federal cabinet through circulation of summary approved appointment of Nausheen Javaid Amjad as the new chairperson of the FBR. She belonged to Inland Revenue Service (IRS) in grade 22.

The cabinet also approved termination of the honorary/pro bono appointment of Syed Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi as FBR chairman. Shabbar Zaidi has already informed high-ups that he will not resume duty as the FBR chairman. According to the summary of Establishment Division to the cabinet, FBR chairman is appointed by federal government in terms of section 3(3) of the FBR Act, 2007. Federal government has been defined as the “Federal Cabinet” vide Supreme Court of Pakistan judgement dated August 18, 2016 passed in Civil Appeal number 1428/2016 and 1436/2016.

Selection Committee for selection of Senior officers has unanimously recommended that Ms Nausheen Javaid Amjad (BS-22/IRS) presently posted as Member Admin FBR, may be appointed/posted as FBR chairperson.

Syed Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi, Chartered Accountant, was appointed as FBR chairman for a period of 2 years, on honorary/pro bono basis, vide this Division’s notification dated May 9, 2020.

In view of the above, Establishment Division proposes the following: Firstly, the honorary/pro bono appointment of Syed Muhammad Shabbar Zaidi as FBR chairman may be terminated with immediate effect.

Secondly, Ms Nashueen Javaid Amjad (BS22/IRS), presently posted as Member Admin FBR may be transferred and appointed/posted as FBR chairperson with immediate effect.

Prime Minister as Minister In-charge for Establishment Division has seen and authorized placement of this summary before the Federal Cabinet for approval through circulation in terms of rule 17(I) (b) of the Rules of Business, 1973.