KARACHI: The Inland Revenue Service Officers’ Association (IRSOA) has released a critical statement against the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) recent policies, highlighting a significant revenue shortfall attributed to a “myopic and parochial policy framework.”
The IRSOA’s press release underscores widespread discontent among its members, particularly in response to the FBR’s “Transformation Plan.” According to the association, this plan has not only led to dissatisfaction but also hampered revenue collection efforts significantly.
An in-house survey by the IRSOA revealed that over 80 percent of junior field officers are working under challenging conditions, with the lowest salaries among all federal departments and a lack of essential facilities such as transport, fuel, and housing.
Further criticism was directed at the recent large-scale transfers and postings of junior officers to remote areas lacking basic amenities. The IRSOA claims that these officers are being unfairly labeled as corrupt based on subjective criteria, exacerbating their dissatisfaction.
The association also expressed frustration over the delay in holding the Departmental Promotion Board from BS 18 to 19, accusing the FBR management of unwarranted procrastination.
Despite achieving revenue targets in previous years with the same workforce, the IRSOA attributes the current revenue shortfall—approximately Rs. 356 billion in the first five months of the current fiscal year—to the administration’s inexperience and misguided policies.
The IRSOA has voiced its objections to the “Transformation Plan,” which it claims was neither developed with input from the officers nor effectively implemented. The association asserts that the plan has yet to yield any tangible results.
In conclusion, the IRSOA reaffirmed its commitment to working in Pakistan’s best interests, emphasizing that economic growth and independence are attainable only if the barriers hindering these goals are removed.