ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is facing significant internal backlash and potential legal challenges over the newly implemented Reward & Rating System (RRS), which was introduced as a replacement for the existing Performance Evaluation Report (PER) system.
The officers from both Pakistan Customs and Inland Revenue Services have expressed strong resentment against what they described as a “discriminatory system designed to gratify blue-eyed officers,” according to sources familiar with the matter.
The controversy has escalated further when an advocate of the Supreme Court emailed a formal complaint to the Finance minister, FBR chairman, and other high-ranking officials, labelling the rewards as “illegal donation of taxpayer’s money” and a potential “cognizable offence under Section 9 of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999.”
FBR revises procedure for monetary reward payment
The RRS, which was implemented for the period of July-December 2024, was initially presented as an initiative to objectively assess and uplift the performance of civil servants working in the FBR. However, sources claimed that the new system is “inherently flawed, manipulative, and discriminatory.”
A key concern raised by officers is that many with “decent repute” and “impeccable careers” were either downgraded or not considered for rewards despite performing professionally and protecting the interests of the national exchequer, sources said.
One officer, in a letter addressed to the FBR chairman, expressed deep regret about participating in the multi-rater integrity and performance management feedback scheme. The officer claimed to have been directed to rate more than 45 colleagues, many of whom were “complete strangers.”
“I have inadvertently contributed to unfair discrimination against several officers, under a forced categorization scheme, which was never my intention,” the officer stated in his letter.
The discontent has reached such levels that some officers are now declining the financial rewards they have been granted.
Media obtained a copy of a letter from a customs officer, who formally declined a Category “B” award that would have provided three additional salaries.
“As per the categorization framework, a Category ‘B’ rating implies a degree of inefficiency and questions an officer’s integrity – a characterization I categorically reject,” the letter said.
“Throughout my service, I have upheld the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and dedication, and I find it deeply inappropriate and disturbing to be placed in a category that does not reflect my conduct or performance.”
The officer further criticized the assessment mechanism, noting that it “heavily relied on evaluations by officers – seniors and peers – who may have had little to no direct working relationship with the individuals they are rating.”
