LAHORE: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has warned officials of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) against using political influence for their promotions, transfers, posting or deputation and said such tactics will tantamount to misconduct and invite disciplinary action.
The FBR said it had been observed that some officials attempt to bring extraneous influence including political pressure in respect of service matters such as promotion/transfer/posting/deputation and other related issues which is not only breach of Rule 19 and 29 of Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964 but the same also constitutes misconduct in terms of Rule 2(4) of the Government Servants (E&D) Rules 1973.
As per rules no government servant shall directly or indirectly approach any member of the Bational Assembly or a Provincial Assembly or any other non-official person to intervene on his behalf in any matter.
Further no government servant shall bring or attempt to bring political or other outside influence, directly or indirectly, to bear on the government or any government servant in support of any claim arising in connection with his employment as such.
The FBR explains misconduct as defined under Government Servants (E&D) Rules, 1973, means conduct prejudicial to good order or service discipline or contrary to government service rules or unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman and includes any act on the part of a government servant to bring or attempt to bring political or other outside influence directly or indirectly to bear on the government or any government officer in respect of any matter relating to the appointment, promotion, transfer, punishment, retirement or other conditions of service of a government servant.
The notification said that the issued had been taken seriously at higher level with a view of such acts on part of the government officials. The FBR directed all the officials in their own interest to abide by the rules and avoid such conduct in future, failing which, disciplinary action will be taken against those found involved.