ISLAMABAD: Corrupt ‘tigers and flies’ — high ranking and minor officials — of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) either have to get themselves on right track or find other dens as the FBR is no more safe haven for them.
These admonishing tones were rung by the Member FBR Admin, Shahid Hussain Jatoi while giving an exclusive interview to Customs Today. He added that FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa has pledged to pursue the corrupt officials in anti-corruption drive and to develop an integrated accountability system in the FBR.
Shahid said that number of high officials and lower rank employees have been prosecuted following the charges of corruption, while numbers of investigations in this regard were underway.
He revealed that FBR has dismissed many officials including the officers of grade 17 to 21 so far on proving corruption and misuse of powers.
He also urged the taxpayers and general public to help the department in action against the corrupt, lawbreaker officials by providing evidence if they have any against them.
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.”
Responding to a query, Shahid said that it was mandatory for all officers and employees to file their asset’s declarations to avoid the suspension of special allowance. He added that FBR investigated the matters deeply if assets of officials increased surprisingly and also made them accountable before the department.
FBR has chalked out plans to overcome the shortage of the staff in order to make the tax collection system more efficient, he said.
Whatsoever measures have been taken by administration wing so far for the betterment of the department, these were not possible without the ultimate support of the FBR chairman.