Renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel talked on "Morality, ethics and public service delivery" to the FBR officers in Karachi. His talk highlighted the values of honesty, integrity, truthfulness and strength of character as being the hallmark of public service.
The talk was delivered at Directorate General of Training and Research (Customs), Karachi. A video uplink to the FBR offices also enabled officers of BS-17 and above working in field formations to hear the talk. The officers found the lecture as inspiring and motivating.
Maulana Tariq Jameel spoke on real life examples, Islamic traditions, sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) and verses from the Quran to accentuate the need for virtues of honesty, truth and strength of character to deliver on the promise of civil service.
He likened civil service to a trust of Allah reposed in men, and urged customs and IRS officers to see their role as guardians of a sacred trust in them by both government and the Pakistan people and explained examples from history where such trustees brought their charge safe to their masters even though they would have loved to use it themselves but did not do so as they were bound by a trust. Just like those historical heroes, the Customs and IRS officials also needed to collect tax out of people's pockets' and deposit it in the national exchequer, and rely on government and the Almighty Allah to take care of their own livelihood.
Maulana Tariq Jameel also informed officers that they would be judged by Allah not on basis of how much tax they collected but what character, truthfulness and integrity they brought into their work, and how it benefited the public.
This is a first such co-ordinated action at the FBR to also address ethical issues while improving revenue collection.-PR