Cell set up to counter hype against tax reforms

The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has set up a 'communication cell' to effectively encounter propaganda against the reform process initiated by the authorities to revamp the tax machinery.
The communication cell has been established on the observations of World Bank, which stressed on dealing with the climate of negative opinion being expressed in the media.
The 'cell' will be headed by Member Taxpayer Education and Facilitation, Habib Fakhruddin, whereas its members included Mukhtar Ahmed Gondal, Chief Direct Tax Policy, Mrs Farida Amjad, Chief HRM, Khawaja Saeed Akhtar, Chief Fate, Ahmed Dildar, Chief Sales Tax and Nadeem Dar, Secretary, BPR-I, Tax.
However, CBR Administration Wing will hire two media experts from private sector to operate the 'cell' on the recommendations of foreign tax consultant Maxwell Stamps.
Sources told Business Recorder here on Wednesday that all communication work of CBR would be routed through 'communication cell'.
Therefore, final copies of pamphlets, brochures, educational material, publicity material, newsletters (HRM), news letters, (sales tax), articles and press releases would be issued through this department.
At present, the Tax Policy and Reform Wing is responsible for preparation and printing of brochures, leaflets and other educational material.
However, the documents pertaining to sales tax were prepared by the sales tax department.
In-house newsletter for communicating important development to internal managerial staff will be issued by the HRM wing.
Newsletters/magazines are issued by the Collectorates/ Commissionrates at Zonal/ Regional levels.
The publicity campaign in media, both electronic and print, is being handled by CBR spokesman. He is also responsible for responding to the queries from private stakeholders.
Sources said that the official website of CBR is under the control of Member IMS and FRS Wing is responsible for bringing out a quarterly newsletter, incorporating research on tax related issues.
Sources said that CBR has all necessary bits and prices required for cobbling together a respectable communication strategy covering all the diversified undertakings of CBR.
In order to have a credible communication strategy, the different scattered pieces have been consolidated under the control of the 'communication cell'.