ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued strict directives, rejecting all leave applications submitted by officials of the Inland Revenue Service (IRS), as the government gears up to present the federal budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. This decision aims to ensure full staff availability during this crucial period.
In a circular released on Thursday, the FBR explicitly instructed all heads of field formations within the IRS to disallow casual leave requests that coincide with or fall near the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha holidays. The FBR emphatically stated that no officer or official should be absent from duty on June 10, 2025, the day when the national budget is officially scheduled to be presented in Parliament.
Overlap with Eid holidays heightens sensitivity
The FBR’s decision comes as the government has already announced four public holidays for Eid-ul-Adha, spanning from June 6 to June 9. With June 10 following immediately after these holidays, the tax authority is taking preemptive steps to prevent any disruption in budget-related operations and to guarantee complete staff availability.
“This is a critical time for the FBR, and uninterrupted operations are essential for the successful handling of all tasks related to the budget,” the circular stated. The FBR highlighted that granting leave during this vital period would not only affect internal workflow but could also hinder seamless coordination between key tax departments and the Ministry of Finance.
Discontent among officials
Each year, the FBR issues similar instructions to restrict leave applications during the sensitive budget cycle. However, this year, the direct overlap with the Eid holidays has significantly heightened the sensitivity of the situation. Many tax officers, particularly those working in cities away from their hometowns, had submitted leave applications hoping to extend their Eid break to spend more time with family.
Officials based in Karachi and other major cities have privately expressed frustration with what they perceive as a blanket ban. They argue that leave refusals should ideally be limited only to those officers directly involved in the preparation or presentation of the budget, suggesting that others should be permitted to observe Eid with their families without undue burden.
Despite this evident discontent among some staff members, the FBR stands firm on its decision. The authority has stated that all leave applications have been rejected without exception, underscoring its commitment to maintaining full operational functionality during this vital fiscal period for the nation.
