Contrary to the much-hyped promises of PTI government to bring in good governance, justice and transparency, the recent transfer postings in FBR reflect the same old pattern of cronyism, corrupt practices and blatant flouting of merit.
These recent transfers orders are contrary to the principles laid down by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in numerous landmark decisions. Experienced and reputed senior officers have been sidelined, while junior officers known for shady practices have been placed at key positions. Reportedly, most of these were managed by Member (Inland Revenue Operations) Habibullah Khan, for reasons other than merit.
For example, Qaiser Iqbal, who was removed from Kashmir Council for corrupt practices, has been posted as Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue (“CCIR”) Regional Tax Office (“RTO”), Peshawar where bhatta of 5 crore rupees per month is collected due to tax evasion on cigarettes. He owns several luxury vehicles and his princely lifestyle is obviously not from legitimate income.
Sajidullah Siddiqui, a BS-20 officer has been posted as CCIR (Own Pay Scale (“OPS”)) in the highly lucrative RTO-II Karachi, again for obvious reasons. He was not promoted due to his shady reputation, and is known to be a big-shot player.
Shamsul Hadi, another BS-20 officer with hardly any field experience has been given charge as CCIR (OPS) of two major revenue units (Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) Islamabad and RTO Islamabad). He is known as a dummy figure, and his posting is apparently to enable Habibullah Khan to get his “cut” directly from the Commissioners.
Sadia Sadaf Gillani, a BS-20 officer said to be related to an ex-prime minister, has been given the highly lucrative charge of CCIR (OPS) RTO-II, Lahore. She was not even able to manage the charge of Commissioner, but strangely has been bestowed with greater responsibilities.
Sahibzada Abdul Mateen, a BS-20 officer who was reported for issuing numerous illegal exemption certificates to people not from tribal areas, and for collection of bhatta from coal miners of Balochistan, has been given charge of CCIR (OPS) RTO Quetta.
Shahid Iqbal Baloch, a BS-20 officer known for his lethargy and inefficiency, has been posted as CCIR (OPS) RTO Hyderabad.
Hamid Ateeq Sarwar, as BS-20 officer has been posted as Member (FATE), FBR in OPS, although he should have been given the charge of Commissioner or Chief FBR in BS-20.
Most of these BS-20 officers have not even completed their National Management College (“NMC”) training which is mandatory for promotion to BS-21. On the other hand, many senior officers have been sidelined for no reason other than the fact that they did not fulfil the “expectations” of Habibullah Khan. These include Nazir Ahmad Shoro, Ashfaq Ahmad Tunio, Seema Shakil, Mustafa Sajjad Hassan, Shareef Awan, Maroof Gillani, Shaher Bano Wallajai, Ghulam Mustafa Rahu, Raza Munawar and Shah Bano GM Khan. These officers are either in BS-21 or have completed their NMC training and are eligible for BS-21. Some have been removed from their posting before the three-year tenure period mandated by the Supreme Court, without assigning any reason.
Posting of so many junior officers with tainted reputations at highly lucrative positions, and the sidelining of senior and honest officers, clearly signals the priorities of the Member IR Operations Habibullah Khan.
Jahanzeb Khan, Chairman FBR, a PAS officer of 15th Common, has so far failed to display any interest, initiative or leadership in his current post. Ever since being appointed as Chairman FBR on 29 August 2018, Jahanzeb Khan has merely kept himself engaged in listening to countless briefings and presentations by the different Wings of FBR. He has displayed an indecisive and delaying approach to the urgent and burning issues, leading to frustration and disappointment among the FBR officers.
His reserved and aloof attitude has resulted in utter chaos in FBR, with frequent infighting among the Members and DGs, a free-for-all in the field, and an alarming shortfall of Rs. 100 billion just in the July to October period. If this state of affairs continues, the PTI government can forget its lofty targets, because the revenue shortfall will accumulate to Rs. 500 billion by the end of the year.
These recent transfers orders are contrary to the principles laid down by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in numerous landmark decisions. Experienced and reputed senior officers have been sidelined, while junior officers known for shady practices have been placed at key positions. Reportedly, most of these were managed by Member (Inland Revenue Operations) Habibullah Khan, for reasons other than merit.
For example, Qaiser Iqbal, who was removed from Kashmir Council for corrupt practices, has been posted as Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue (“CCIR”) Regional Tax Office (“RTO”), Peshawar where bhatta of 5 crore rupees per month is collected due to tax evasion on cigarettes. He owns several luxury vehicles and his princely lifestyle is obviously not from legitimate income.
Sajidullah Siddiqui, a BS-20 officer has been posted as CCIR (Own Pay Scale (“OPS”)) in the highly lucrative RTO-II Karachi, again for obvious reasons. He was not promoted due to his shady reputation, and is known to be a big-shot player.
Shamsul Hadi, another BS-20 officer with hardly any field experience has been given charge as CCIR (OPS) of two major revenue units (Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) Islamabad and RTO Islamabad). He is known as a dummy figure, and his posting is apparently to enable Habibullah Khan to get his “cut” directly from the Commissioners.
Sadia Sadaf Gillani, a BS-20 officer said to be related to an ex-prime minister, has been given the highly lucrative charge of CCIR (OPS) RTO-II, Lahore. She was not even able to manage the charge of Commissioner, but strangely has been bestowed with greater responsibilities.
Sahibzada Abdul Mateen, a BS-20 officer who was reported for issuing numerous illegal exemption certificates to people not from tribal areas, and for collection of bhatta from coal miners of Balochistan, has been given charge of CCIR (OPS) RTO Quetta.
Shahid Iqbal Baloch, a BS-20 officer known for his lethargy and inefficiency, has been posted as CCIR (OPS) RTO Hyderabad.
Hamid Ateeq Sarwar, as BS-20 officer has been posted as Member (FATE), FBR in OPS, although he should have been given the charge of Commissioner or Chief FBR in BS-20.
Most of these BS-20 officers have not even completed their National Management College (“NMC”) training which is mandatory for promotion to BS-21. On the other hand, many senior officers have been sidelined for no reason other than the fact that they did not fulfil the “expectations” of Habibullah Khan. These include Nazir Ahmad Shoro, Ashfaq Ahmad Tunio, Seema Shakil, Mustafa Sajjad Hassan, Shareef Awan, Maroof Gillani, Shaher Bano Wallajai, Ghulam Mustafa Rahu, Raza Munawar and Shah Bano GM Khan. These officers are either in BS-21 or have completed their NMC training and are eligible for BS-21. Some have been removed from their posting before the three-year tenure period mandated by the Supreme Court, without assigning any reason.
Posting of so many junior officers with tainted reputations at highly lucrative positions, and the sidelining of senior and honest officers, clearly signals the priorities of the Member IR Operations Habibullah Khan.
Jahanzeb Khan, Chairman FBR, a PAS officer of 15th Common, has so far failed to display any interest, initiative or leadership in his current post. Ever since being appointed as Chairman FBR on 29 August 2018, Jahanzeb Khan has merely kept himself engaged in listening to countless briefings and presentations by the different Wings of FBR. He has displayed an indecisive and delaying approach to the urgent and burning issues, leading to frustration and disappointment among the FBR officers.
His reserved and aloof attitude has resulted in utter chaos in FBR, with frequent infighting among the Members and DGs, a free-for-all in the field, and an alarming shortfall of Rs. 100 billion just in the July to October period. If this state of affairs continues, the PTI government can forget its lofty targets, because the revenue shortfall will accumulate to Rs. 500 billion by the end of the year.
