ISLAMABAD: In order to maintain good reputation of department and eliminate corrupt elements, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is trying to appoint honest and hardworking chief collectors, chief commissioners, collectors and commissioners.
FBR Administration Member Shahid Hussain Jatoi expressed the determination in an interview with Customs Today, adding that corruption has been reduced through implementation of institutional framework to promote probity, accountability and transparency in FBR.
The performance of the all officials was improving over time due to strict measures taken by FBR during last two years, he said, adding that “we are striving to ensure the discipline in the department and our team members have to follow the rules and regulations to make FBR a prestigious institution of Pakistan.”
Jatoi said that number of high officials and lower rank employees have been prosecuted following the charges of corruption, while number of investigations in this regard were underway. He added that admin wing was effectively and whole heartedly implementing the policy of zero tolerance against corruption and in this regard swift action on complaints against the officers/officials were taken without any delay.
The aim of strict measures was to contain corruption, which is now under control for last two years as no any mega scandal has been observed in both customs and Inland Revenue, he added.
He said that department was closely monitoring the cases regarding the administrative matters in courts. He said that FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa wanted to make FBR a department of international standards; therefore, he fully supported the implementation of reward and punishment systems and elimination of favouritism culture.
The cases like unexplained leave, unauthorised absence, non-filing of returns and assets declarations by FBR officers were being dealt with strictly as 1,280 officers have been suspended so far for not filing their returns, Jatoi said.
The FBR administration discourages external pressure to influence transfer and posting as it was made through the process of consultation by the committee headed by the FBR chairman with other members concerned, he added.
Talking about performance allowance, Jatoi said that the department will only encourage officials who have performed well to increase the tax collection and performance allowance will only be issued to eligible officers.
