Daily Times

Sir: This piece of writing is meant to draw the kind attention of the Federal Board of Revenue’s top officials towards a very important issue prevailing in FBR.

Before, going into the details of the same it is pertinent to mention here that why this issue is important. In the modern world, economy is the top most priority of every country. It goes without saying that FBR is one of the most important institutions of the state playing key role in the national financial affairs. Therefore, it is much desired that FBR being primary state institution dealing with the economy must have best available resources which include best human capital, latest technologies, conducive working environment and promising career for its employees.

Coming straight to the issue presently existing in FBR is that of absence of service structure of newly recruited Customs Officers of grade-16 who got recruited last year and first time ever through Federal Public Service Commission. Although direct recruitment in this cadre was made almost 25 years ago but at that time this cadre was in BS-11.

The yester yearly recruited batch of grade-16 officers is the first of its kind in the history of FBR, i.e. direct recruitment in BS-16 through FPSC. Although there are numerous other problems being faced by this cadre of Officers including poor working environment, intermingling of ministerial staff with the executive staff, undue multiple assignments yet the most striking issue is that of promotion.

Keeping in view the past record and existing scenario in the Customs department chances of promotion of this cadre are very bleak which tends to cause disappointment and unrest among newly recruited young lot.

FBR is lucky to have such a brilliant lot of young middle-cadre Customs officers. Now it is to see whether FBR is willing to provide them enough space to stay for a long in the department. And if FBR, unfortunately, does not bother to redress the problem of service structure of this cadre, FBR might fall short of human resources. So, for the welfare of its employees, for the betterment of the institution and for the economic benefits of the country, the Board must think over it.

MUHAMMAD ZAMAN RAJA

Lahore

Published in Daily Times, May 20^th 2018.