Mr. Shabbar Zaidi, Senior Partner M/s: A.F. Ferguson, should have resigned from his partnership firm with immediate effect to avoid conflict of interest and to comply with the Code of Ethics of ICAP.
Appointment of Shabbar Zaidi as Chairman FBR leads to unrest and strong disappointment in FBR Ranks.
FBR Officers have conveyed their serious concerns and reservations over the Government’s decision to appoint Syed Shabbar Zaidi as Chairman FBR. The appointment of a partner of chartered Accountan firm to the most important and sensitive position i.e chairman FBR is considered a high-risk area for conflict of interest and Mr.Shabbar’s placement is one fit case.
Previously, Islamabad High Court declared Arshad Ali Hakeem’s appointment as Chairman FBR as illegal and unconstitutional. Being a senior partner of an accountancy firm A F Ferguson & Co, Mr. Shabbar’s appointment raises serious doubts about his impartiality and sincerity with Premier Revenue Agency as he is pleading the cases of companies involving hundreds of billion of rupees as tax revenues.
Moreover his appointment has been made ignoring more than 10 senior most Inland Revenue Service and Pakistan Customs Service Officers serving in BS-22. This action has also been viewed as mistrust and no-confidence in more than 2000 officers working in both cadres of FBR.
The government is repeatedly demoralizing the two cadres in FBR by appointing chairman FBR either from PAS and now a private individual from a chartered accountant firm. If at all his expertise is inevitable to be utilised , the govt may appoint him as advisor being the prerogative of the govt to appoint any person against a position meant for political appointees.
The FBR Officers request the govt to review this decision and appoint one of the officer in BS 22 from IRS or customs, otherwise the prevailing unrest may further widen the revenue shortfall being faced by FBR through the wrong policy measures taken by the previous government without working out the revenue implications.
Moreover there is every likehood that this decision may be challenged in court of law.
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