ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan said that his administration has zero-tolerance for corruptions and corrupt officer will be made to face the full weight of law.
He stated this during a meeting with a delegation of United Goods Transport Alliance Pakistan when the transporters put forward the complaints against the officials of Pakistan Customs and Customs Intelligence. The chairman satisfying them said that if any officer and staff member of field formation was found involved in taking kickbacks, the victim should contact to FBR headquarters with evidence.
The members of delegation are included Punjab region President Zakriya Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Hayat Khan, Balochistan President Noor Jan, Secretary General Jahanzaib Khan, Shakoor Alam and others, while Customs Member Nasir Masroor and Special Assistant to Chairman Zubari Tiwana represented the FBR along with FBR chairman.
The transporters presented their complaints against the officers and official of Hyderabad, Sukkar, Multan, Faisalabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta, and also disclosed the name of some alleged corrupt officers. They further said that FBR and transporters had signed an accord in 2015, which was not being implemented, adding that focal persons were not addressing their issues.
The FBR chairman took strict notice of not implementing the accord and also showed grievances over the corruption of customs officials. He warned the officials of strict action if accord was not realised.
It is important to mention here that transporters alliance had called for strike on February 4, 2016, which was taken back after the interference of Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and FBR chairman.
It may also mention here that in 2015 then Customs member Nisar Khan held negotiations with transporters when they had announced strike and settled the matter successfully. It had been decided during the meeting that a vehicle will not be impounded if difference of duty/taxes is found up to 30 percent on loaded items. Deputy collectors and deputy directors of Customs and Customs Intelligence were made focal persons to resolve the issues of the transporters.
Transporters also complained that focal persons did not hear their concerns and give importance to the reports made by their inspectors. Vehicles worth millions of rupees were impounded just for twenty thousand rupees and later released by the Customs Adjudication after imposing fine of Rs 20,000-25,000.
At the end the chairman ordered to circulate the all points of accord again and directed the officers to ensure the implementation. He added that if anyone did not obey the rules will be made to feel uncomfortable in this environment. He has also ordered to initiate the inquiries against officials following the complaints of the transporters. The second round of talks will be held later.
