Islamabad, Dec 2: The Inland Revenue Service Officer’s Association (IRSOA) has expressed its strong discontent with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) administration, blaming its policies for the persistent shortfall in achieving revenue targets. In a letter, IRSOA attributed the failure to the “myopic and parochial policy framework” of the current FBR administration, which has caused widespread dissatisfaction among officers and hindered revenue collection efforts.
An in-house survey revealed that over 80% of junior field officers are among the lowest paid in the federal government and lack basic provisions like transport, fuel, and housing. The recent large-scale transfer of junior officers to remote areas without necessary facilities, coupled with unfounded corruption allegations, has further fueled discontent.
The association also voiced concerns about the delayed promotion process, particularly for officers between BS 18 and 19, which has been stalled by FBR management without valid reasons. Despite achieving targets in previous years, IRSOA pointed out that the current administration’s misguided policies and lack of support have resulted in a significant revenue shortfall of Rs. 356 billion in the first five months of the current fiscal year.
IRSOA has criticized the so-called “Transformation Plan,” claiming that officers were not consulted, and it remains unimplemented. Despite these challenges, the association remains committed to contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth, provided the underlying obstacles are addressed.