MoF & FBR: Uncertainty prevails among officials promoted during PML-N government

In the aftermath of a PTI electoral victory a high degree of uncertainty prevails within senior staff members of Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), who were promoted/appointed during the past five years, fearing a transfer to an unimportant position or worse, being made OSD.
Sources on condition of anonymity informed Business Recorder that an atmosphere of uncertainty and panic prevails amongst those senior officials who were handpicked by the previous finance minister as well as during the Abbasi-led administration.
Sources further stated that a major reshuffle is expected in key positions in the Ministry of Finance and FBR (including in field formations).
A senior tax official on condition of anonymity said that the new government may depute some kind of advisory board or advisory council to restructure FBR and implement reforms in tax administration. The recommendations of such advisory boards are normally approved by the Prime Minister.
Another official said that the simplification of tax return form will be a major step in reducing corruption and restoring business and tax payers' confidence. Complicated tax forms and wealth statements are a major deterrent to filing returns and broadening of the tax base. The FBR has been unable to mobilize existing potential of resources.
Sources in the Finance Ministry said that the new government would have to immediately decide on how to meet the approaching debt repayments and support the slide in foreign exchange reserves; there are limited options available at this time with the most viable one being another IMF bail out package, sources stated adding that the conditions acceptable to the government-elect should be vetted by the cabinet.
The privatization agenda was left unfinished during the previous IMF programme (2013-16) and the Fund staff may insist on the government-elect completing the privatization agenda. If Asad Umar does become the next finance minister, as repeatedly stated by Imran Khan, then he would have to propose an alternative to privatization that would reduce the annual outlay on supporting badly performing state owned/autonomous entities, if he adheres to his opposition to privatization.
Ministry officials however acknowledged that they have absolutely no idea what the PTI government's policies, short term to deal with the prevailing crisis, or long term reform policies would be.