The Inland Revenue Service Officer’s Association (IRSOA) has attributed the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) inability to meet its revenue targets to what it calls a “myopic and parochial policy framework” implemented by the current FBR administration. In a strongly worded letter, the IRSOA criticized the so-called “Transformation Plan” and its impact on revenue collection and officer morale.
The association stated that the policies pursued under the Transformation Plan have caused widespread dissatisfaction among FBR officers and led to a significant deviation in revenue collection efforts. The FBR has faced a massive revenue shortfall of approximately Rs. 356 billion in the first five months of the current financial year, which IRSOA attributes to the administration’s inexperience, misguided policies, and apathetic attitude toward Inland Revenue officers.
Junior Officers Facing Severe Challenges
According to an in-house survey conducted by IRSOA, over 80 percent of junior field officers are working under challenging conditions, receiving the lowest salaries among all federal government departments. They are also deprived of essential facilities such as transport, fuel, and residential accommodations.
The association further highlighted the recent large-scale transfers and postings of junior officers to remote areas without providing basic facilities. These officers have also been stigmatized with allegations of corruption based on subjective criteria, which has deepened discontentment and dissatisfaction within the ranks.
Delays in Promotions and Lack of Support
IRSOA expressed serious concerns over the undue delay in holding the Departmental Promotion Board for officers from BS-18 to BS-19. The association criticized the FBR management for its lack of action and failure to provide any valid reason for the delay.
The letter also pointed out that the same workforce had successfully achieved revenue targets in the previous year. However, the current administration’s policies and lack of support have undermined the efforts of Inland Revenue officers, leading to the current revenue shortfall.
Transformation Plan Criticized
The IRSOA took issue with the FBR’s much-touted Transformation Plan, calling it a “homegrown” initiative in name only. The association claimed that officers were neither consulted nor involved in the development of the plan, which has yet to be implemented effectively.
The association emphasized that the plan has failed to address the real challenges faced by the department and has instead created further obstacles to achieving revenue targets.
Commitment to Economic Growth
Despite its grievances, the IRSOA reaffirmed its commitment to working in the best interests of Pakistan and its members to achieve economic growth and independence. However, it stressed that this goal can only be achieved if the real obstacles hindering revenue collection efforts are removed and officers are provided with the necessary support and resources.
The letter serves as a stark warning to the FBR administration, urging it to address the concerns of Inland Revenue officers and revise its policies to ensure the department’s effectiveness in meeting its revenue targets.
