Mohsin Siddiqui (Chief Reporter)
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is likely to place dozens of senior officials, allegedly involved in corruption, on the Admin Pool. This move comes as part of a broader effort to root out corruption within the organization. The FBR has prepared a comprehensive list of these alleged corrupt officials, and a notification regarding their placement in the Admin Pool is expected to be issued in the coming days. The list includes officials from both the Inland Revenue Service and Pakistan Customs Service, marking a significant step in the FBR’s ongoing anti-corruption drive.
The preparation of these lists by the FBR began prior to the recent budget announcements. However, due to the intensive budget preparation exercise, the notification of these placements was delayed. Now, with the budget finalized, the FBR is set to proceed with this significant reshuffle. This will be the second major shuffle within a span of two months, affecting senior officials, including those at the Grade-20 level.
Just before Eid, the FBR suspended two officials—a Deputy Commissioner (DC) and an Inspector—over the mishandling of a refund case worth over Rs 800 million. This incident was the second major refund case leading to the suspension of senior officials within a short period. The FBR is clearly intensifying its efforts to address internal corruption and ensure accountability among its ranks.
On April 26, 2024, the FBR made substantial changes by transferring almost all key members, including the Member Inland Revenue (Policy) and the Member Customs (Operations), to the Admin Pool of the Board. This move was part of a broader strategy to restructure the organization and address issues of corruption and inefficiency.
The FBR also reassigned the top 22 Inland Revenue officials of BS-20 to BS-22. These included 13 key members and director generals of the Board, along with two chief commissioners of Inland Revenue, who were all transferred to the Admin Pool. Moreover, the FBR transferred 14 senior officials from the Customs Department, including those at the BS-20 to BS-22 levels, such as the Director General of Customs (Intelligence).
The total number of transfers and postings of senior tax officials by the FBR in recent months stands at 49. This significant reshuffle underscores the FBR’s commitment to combating corruption and improving the efficiency and integrity of its operations.
The placement of senior officials in the Admin Pool is expected to have several implications for the FBR’s functioning. By reallocating these officials, the FBR aims to disrupt established networks of corruption and send a strong message about its zero-tolerance policy towards unethical behavior. This move is also intended to foster a culture of accountability and transparency within the organization.
The Admin Pool serves as a holding area for officials who are under investigation or whose roles are being reviewed. By placing these alleged corrupt officials in the Admin Pool, the FBR is effectively sidelining them from their regular duties, thus minimizing their ability to influence ongoing operations or perpetuate corrupt practices.
Looking ahead, the FBR is expected to continue its rigorous efforts to identify and address corruption within its ranks. This ongoing anti-corruption drive is likely to result in further reshuffles and disciplinary actions against officials found to be involved in unethical activities. The FBR’s actions align with broader government efforts to enhance governance, accountability, and transparency across various sectors.
In conclusion, the FBR’s decision to place dozens of senior officials involved in corruption on the Admin Pool marks a significant step in its ongoing fight against corruption. This move is part of a broader strategy to restructure the organization, improve its efficiency, and ensure that public trust in the FBR is restored. As the FBR continues its efforts to root out corruption, further changes and disciplinary actions can be expected in the coming months.
