FBR restructuring: three consultative bodies directed to submit recommendations

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed three consultative committees to submit their recommendations on restructuring of the Board to newly constituted FBR Steering Committee on reforms by November 20, 2019.

According to an office order of the FBR, the Steering Committee on Restructuring of the FBR would be headed by FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi. Members of the steering committee are: Nausheen Javed Amjad FBR Member Admin; Muhammad Javed Ghani, FBR Member Customs Policy; Seema Shakil, FBR Member IR (Operations); Dr Jawwad Uwais Agha, FBR Member Customs (Operations); Dr Hamid Ateeq Sarwar, FBR Member IR-Policy; and Talha Aziz Khan, Chief FBR Chairman Office.

The FBR's sub-committees on reorganization, human resource, field formations and automation would submit their proposals to the FBR Steering Committee for consideration.

On November 8, the FBR had constituted consultative committees. Karachi-based consultative committee is headed by Chief Commissioner Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU); and Lahore-based committee and Rawalpindi-Islamabad-based committees are headed by Director General Intelligence and Investigation Inland Revenue.

The Prime Minister's letter of October 3, 2019 contains following major reforms in FBR and timelines (put on hold): Establishment of Pakistan Revenue Authority (timeline June 30, 2020); Re-organization and re-articulation of FBR Headquarters (Nov 30, 2019); administrative and functional restructuring of LTUs/RTOs (December 31, 2019); collection of sales tax on services by the FBR (October 30, 2019); enhancement of collection charges of FBR for infrastructure development, automation and HRD (timeline June 30, 2020); nationwide tax assessment and documentation drive (timeline Nov 30), nation-wise survey of immovable properties (October 31), proposal for development of Alternate Border Economy (timeline October 31, 2019) and process for automation of the FBR (timeline November 30, 2019).